Unusually low stocks of softwood sawlogs were reported on 30 September, marking a significant drop to 2.1 million m3, according to the latest survey from the Swedish Forest Agency. This level of stocks has not been recorded since the commencement of measurements in 2013.
The shortage in softwood sawlogs was observed across all wood balance areas. Conversely, stocks of pulpwood remained consistent with the previous year or showed a slight increase. Softwood pulpwood, including spruce pulpwood, saw a 4% rise, reaching 3.1 million m3 compared to the end of September 2022. Hardwood pulpwood stocks also experienced a substantial surge, totaling 0.8 million m3, marking a 40% increase from the same period last year.
In contrast, the overall timber stocks on 30 September 2023 amounted to 6.7 million m3, indicating a 5% decrease compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
A breakdown by assortment revealed the following changes in comparison with the same time last year:
- Softwood sawlogs: 2.1 million m3 (-26%)
- Pulpwood: 3.9 million m3 (+9%)
- Pulp chips: 0.7 million m3 (+5%)
