Europe’s softwood log market entered September with two very different price cycles running at the same time. In Sweden and Norway, the exceptional raw-material rally of 2024 and 2025 has broken. Pine has led the decline, spruce has followed and sawmills have become less willing to bid aggressively after months of weak conversion margins. Farther south and east, however, prices remain firm. Austrian spruce/fir sawlogs averaged €122.50/m³ in August, fresh spruce in southern Germany was marketed at €116–122/m³, and Estonian pine and spruce logs remained above €100/m³.

Finland sits between those groups. Standing-sale prices for spruce logs held above €83/m³ in July and pine was close to €78/m³, only 1% lower than in June. Yet roundwood purchases during January–July were 19% below the previous year. Prices have therefore proved far more resistant than volumes.

The market does not follow a simple north-to-south divide. Sales terms, log specifications, storm exposure and local wood availability differ considerably from one country to another. The figures are not directly comparable in every case, but the latest GWMI analysis shows clearly where raw-material pressure has eased and where it remains firmly in place.