The Swedish Forest Agency reports a 2% increase in the area notified for felling in October 2024 compared to the same month in 2023. Applications for final felling in montane forests surged 145% year-on-year, reaching 1,528 hectares compared to 624 hectares in October last year. However, total notifications and applications for felling dropped by 2% to 28,209 hectares in October.
Regionally, Southern Norrland and Götaland saw increases of 17% and 3%, with gains of 1,105 hectares and 216 hectares, respectively. In contrast, Northern Norrland and Svealand experienced decreases of 3% (236 hectares) and 6% (463 hectares), respectively, when compared to October 2023.
From January to October, felling notifications and applications totaled 196,597 hectares, an 11% decline from the same period last year. Montane forest applications alone fell by 56%, totaling 4,925 hectares compared to 11,147 hectares in 2023. Northern Norrland, Svealand, and Götaland saw declines of 22%, 14%, and 12%, respectively, while Southern Norrland increased by 6%. Compared to five- and ten-year averages, year-to-date totals reflect decreases of 11% and 12%, respectively.
