France: maritime pine prices on an upward trend

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There are good news for forest owners in Western France. The prices for maritime pine have recovered. In the main producing areas of the Hexagon (Aquitane, Loire region, Bretagne...) an increasing trend can be noticed in all products categories. (see tables below).

In one year, a particularly noticeable rise was registered in small wood thinning (10 to 20%); and a more modest one in logs and logs for sawing (2 to 10%), depending on selections, modes of sale and local industry. At the same time, the volume unsold is declining, and for thinning products oriented for wood energy and pulpwood, almost everything is sold.

However, the current increase is far off to compensate the constant and long term decline in prices of maritime pine. "Twenty years ago and at a comparable volume, 20% of the receipts of the maritime pine covered the expenses of the forest plantations. Today, 80 % are barely enough," says Gaël Reille, the president of the syndicate of the Private Foresters of Ille-et-Vilaine.

The price evolution in maritime pine in Aquitaine

Auctions ONF (France's National Office of Forests) prices on foot and block euros/m3 under bark

Unit volume Labouheyre (FR) 25/06/13 Lugos (FR) 24.10.2013 % Evolution 25/06 to 24/10/13
0,5 m3 21,9 23,8 +8,7%
0,75 m3 25,4 26,9 +5,9%
1 m3 28 29 +3,6%
1,25 m3 29,9 30,9 +3,3%
1,5 m3 31,4 32,2 +2,5%
1,75 m3 32,9 33,4 +1,5%
2 m3 34 34,4 +1,2%

Source : Robert Wood, based on results offered by ONF

Upward maritime pine prices registered at private auctions

Prices on foot and roadside in Loire region, 4th quarter 2013

Products Roadside prices Prices on foot % Evolution in one year
Wood energy 28 €/m3 9 à 12 €/m3 13%
Industrial wood 32 €/m3 13 à 16 €/m3 19%
Palettes 35 €/m3 16 à 19 €/m3 5%
Packaging 39 €/m3 20 à 23 €/m3 10%
Sawn 42 €/m3 23 à 26 €/m3 5%
Wood frames 53 €/m3 34 à 37 €/m3 6%
Carpentry 60 €/m3 41 à 44 €/m3 5%
Veneer 80 €/m3 61 à 64 €/m3 -
Operating costs (felling logging + + project management): 15.5 to 19 euros/m3

Evolution of operating costs over 1 year: 5%

Source: Robert Wood, from private sales of Arnaud Balsac, December 2013

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