The cost of regeneration felling in Sweden has increased by 11% in 2022, according to statistics compiled by the Swedish Forest Agency (Skogsstyrelsen) and the Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk). The costs of regeneration felling have been rising every year since 2017, reaching a total increase of 28%. During the same period, the producer price index has risen by 42%.
In 2022, the average costs (in current prices) for the entire country have increased by:
- 11% to 122 SEK per cubic meter for regeneration felling and transportation of timber to the road.
- 12% to 247 SEK per cubic meter for thinning and transportation of timber to the road.
The costs of regeneration felling increased both in northern and southern Sweden in 2022. The highest increase was observed in southern Sweden, where costs rose by 12%, while they increased by 10% in northern Sweden.
图像: Cost of regeneration felling and thinning, years 1996-2022, current prices / Swedish Forest Agency and Skogforsk
The costs of both regeneration felling and thinning are now at their highest level since 1996 when the Swedish Forest Agency and the Forestry Research Institute began collecting data on logging costs. The cost of regeneration felling has increased by 35% since 1996, while the cost of thinning has increased by 62%. During the same period, the producer price index (PPI) for all goods production has increased by 85%.
The statistics also include information on the costs of more difficult regeneration felling in damaged forests. Damaged forests encompass areas affected by fires, storms, insect infestations, or fungal attacks. The cost of more difficult felling was 27% higher than regular regeneration felling in 2022, slightly higher than the 22% increase observed in 2021. It should be noted that there is significant variation in damages and, therefore, the costs of more difficult regeneration felling.
Increased costs for regrowth measures and clearing:
- Clear-felling have increased by 11% to 1,770 SEK per hectare.
- Site preparation has increased by 24% to 2,970 SEK per hectare.
- Planting (including seedlings) has increased by 2% to 6,140 SEK per hectare.
- Seeding has increased by 18% to 6,030 SEK per hectare.
- Thinning has increased by 3% to 2,900 SEK per hectare.
The cost data is volume- or area-weighted and represents current (nominal) prices per hectare or cubic meter of solid wood, excluding tops and bark (m3f ub). The survey includes only large-scale forestry operations involving organizations with a landholding of more than 16,000 hectares.
