The forest industry had a mixed year. Sawn timber production and exports increased in the early part of the year, but the decline in construction led to a decline in demand for sawn timber and softwood plywood in the latter part of the year. The production and export volumes of pulp and paper industry products were reduced by, among other things, weak market demand, the US's aggressive tariff policy and high inventory levels among buyers. Demand for board also varied in the main market areas.
The rapid rise in prices at the beginning of the year was followed by a sharp drop
Prices for industrial wood purchased as raw material for the forest industry rose rapidly in the first half of the year, and average prices reached historic highs in the summer. After this, demand for wood and prices began to decline sharply. However, average prices for the entire year remained slightly higher than a year earlier. Industrial wood prices were at a high level in both 2024 and 2025.
– The timber trade saw record high real prices in the summer, after which pulpwood prices in particular fell exceptionally. Demand for wood in the chemical forest industry and the energy sector decreased, and pulpwood prices fell by about 30 percent in vertical trades and almost 20 percent in procurement trades in the second half of the year. Monthly timber trade statistics have been compiled for 30 years, but pulpwood prices have never fallen so much in one calendar year, says the chief actuary Jukka Torvelainen Read on.
Log prices rose by a few percent
Spruce logs were sold at almost 83 euros per cubic meter in standing trade, while pine logs were sold at just over 80 euros per cubic meter. The average price of birch logs rose to almost 66 euros. The last time real average log prices for the entire year were this high was in 2007–2008.
The vertical trading price of spruce pulpwood exceeded 33 euros and that of pine exceeded 31 euros. The price of birch pulpwood remained at a generous 31 euros. Such high real vertical trading prices have been recorded for spruce pulpwood in 2007, for pine in 1990 and for birch in 1983.
In 2025, the average price paid for energy wood in vertical sales was 16 euros per cubic meter and in procurement sales was approximately 40 euros per cubic meter. In vertical sales, the average price of pruned energy wood was just over 23 euros and for logging residue was 15 euros. In procurement sales, the corresponding prices were approximately double.
