Norway has become one of Europe's largest log exporters, with rising harvest levels and growing exports making the country increasingly relevant for both Scandinavian and Central European timber markets. Strong competition for raw material, volatile prices and changing trade flows have also made the Norwegian market far more connected to developments elsewhere in Europe than it was only a few years ago.

Global Wood Markets Info spoke with Knut Jacobsen Melum, Chief Sales Officer at Nortømmer AS, about the outlook for Norwegian log markets, price developments, exports, EUDR, competition for raw materials and the prospects for the European forest products industry. Melum has worked for Nortømmer for the past eight years and is responsible for timber sales, market and procurement strategy, and customer relations across domestic and international markets. Before joining Nortømmer, he managed one of Norway's largest private forest estates and later served as Forestry and Wildlife Manager in the public sector.

GWMI: How would you describe the current situation in the Norwegian log market? What are the main factors influencing the market today?

KM: The Norwegian log market is still characterized by years of strong competition for raw material but has shown a recent tendency of normalization as the significant price decreases the last year now eases off. Demand from both domestic industry and export markets remains strong, while forest owners are still benefiting from a market that offers more alternatives than ever before. Forest owner prices are still high even in a 3-4 year perspective. Harvesting levels in H1 2026 are all time high, but will probably level off in H2. Harvesting levels in 2025 was 13,5 mill m3 roundwood for industrial use.