Roundwood trade in Finland increased in May compared with April, but the recovery was weaker than usual. Purchase volumes were still 30% lower than a year earlier, while cumulative trade in January-May remained 28% below last year’s level, according to Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
The volume of roundwood trade in Finland increased by around half in May compared with April, but the seasonal rise was smaller than usual.
According to Luke, purchases of industrial roundwood from private forests were 30% lower than in May 2025 and 27% below the average for the previous five years.
For January-May 2026, cumulative roundwood trade was 28% lower than a year earlier and 18% below the five-year average. Compared with the previous five years, sawlog trade declined by 15%, while pulpwood trade fell by 25%.
Sawlog prices rise slightly
In standing sales, the average price of spruce sawlogs rose to nearly €83/m³ in May, while pine sawlogs exceeded €77/m³. Both conifer sawlog prices increased by 1% compared with April.
Birch sawlog prices also strengthened, rising by 2% from the previous month to more than €63/m³.
Pulpwood prices moved in different directions. In standing sales, pine pulpwood fell to just under €23/m³ and spruce pulpwood to slightly below €25/m³. Birch pulpwood increased by 1% and remained slightly above €23/m³.
Average roundwood prices in May 2026
| Assortment | Price, €/m³ | Change vs April | Change vs 2025 average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine logs, standing sales | 77.28 | +1% | -5% |
| Spruce logs, standing sales | 82.86 | +1% | -1% |
| Birch logs, standing sales | 63.19 | +2% | -5% |
| Pine pulpwood, standing sales | 22.71 | -1% | -28% |
| Spruce pulpwood, standing sales | 24.67 | -1% | -26% |
| Birch pulpwood, standing sales | 23.36 | +1% | -26% |
Price comparison, May 2026
Spruce logs €82.86/m³
Pine logs €77.28/m³
Birch logs €63.19/m³
Spruce pulpwood €24.67/m³
Birch pulpwood €23.36/m³
Pine pulpwood €22.71/m³
Delivery sales prices
In delivery sales, conifer pulpwood prices weakened more clearly. Pine pulpwood fell below €39/m³, while spruce pulpwood approached €41/m³. Birch pulpwood increased by 2% to clearly above €42/m³.
| Assortment | Price, €/m³ | Change vs April | Change vs 2025 average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine pulpwood, delivery sales | 38.90 | -2% | -25% |
| Spruce pulpwood, delivery sales | 41.30 | -2% | -23% |
| Birch pulpwood, delivery sales | 42.47 | +2% | -19% |
Trade volumes remain weak
The May increase in roundwood trade was not enough to offset the weak start to the year. Purchases were still 30% lower than a year earlier, while January-May trade was 28% lower than in the same period of 2025.
May purchases vs May 2025 -30%
May purchases vs five-year average -27%
January-May trade vs 2025 -28%
January-May trade vs five-year average -18%
Roundwood trade volumes from private forests typically increase substantially from April to May, and this was again the case. However, this year the increase was smaller than in previous years.
In May, purchases of industrial roundwood were 30 per cent lower than one year earlier. The volume was 27 per cent below the average for the previous five years.
The cumulative roundwood trade volume for January–May was 28 per cent lower than a year earlier and 18 per cent below the five‑year average. Compared with the previous five years, trade in sawlogs decreased by 15 per cent and trade in pulpwood by 25 per cent. Volumes of spruce sawlogs and spruce pulpwood have declined less than those of other tree species.
