European sawmills are changing the Norwegian timber market amid falling log prices

    Roundwood prices in Norway continued to decline in September 2026, despite strong demand from European sawmills and an increase in softwood exports. The cost of spruce and pine logs has noticeably retreated from last year's highs, while logging remains close to record levels. Foreign buyers continue to play an important role in shaping demand for Norwegian raw materials.

    Key market trends

• Decrease in prices for spruce and pine logs relative to the highs of the previous year.

• High volumes of logging and a significant supply of raw materials.

• Maintaining the interest of European sawmills in Norwegian timber.

• The lack of accurate quotes to quantify price declines.

Overall situation: supply remains high

    The Norwegian roundwood market is facing a combination of significant supply and ongoing price declines. The high activity of loggers ensures the supply of raw materials, but this does not lead to a corresponding increase in the purchase price.

    It is important for market participants to take into account the differences between the prices of untreated logs and the cost of finished lumber. The dynamics of these segments are related, but not always the same: it is influenced by processing costs, availability of raw materials, demand for finished products and the terms of export contracts.

    The situation in Norway is developing against the background of the difficult conjuncture of European woodworking. Read more about the related segment in the article "The European lumber market in January 2026".

Prices for spruce and pine: decline after last year's highs

    In September 2026, prices for spruce and pine logs in Norway remained below the peak values of the previous year. At the same time, the available source information does not contain accurate price quotes, so it is impossible to quantify the decline in individual breeds.

    The dynamics of purchase prices can be influenced by several factors:

• The volume of the offer. High logging increases the availability of raw materials for processors.

• Demand from sawmills. The demand for wood supports trade flows, but does not necessarily ensure an increase in prices.

• Export opportunities. Foreign buyers are expanding the geography of demand, while focusing on the competitiveness of supplies.

• Logistical costs. The cost of transportation affects the final price of raw materials for the buyer.

    For an objective assessment of the market, it is necessary to compare the purchase prices for roundwood with lumber prices, supply volumes and transportation costs.

European sawmills and timber exports

    European sawmills remain important buyers of Norwegian raw materials. The growth of softwood exports indicates the preservation of international trade relations and the importance of external demand for the country's forestry sector.

    At the same time, high demand from foreign processors does not exclude lower prices. If the supply of raw materials increases faster than the willingness of buyers to pay a higher price, competition between sellers may increase.

    International trade also depends on the availability of alternative suppliers and changing demand in different regional markets. An additional context is provided in the publication "Foreign Timber Trade in 2026".

What does this mean for global market participants

    The Norwegian situation is of interest to loggers, traders, sawmills, and roundwood buyers. It shows that the volume of supply, purchase prices and export activity must be assessed together.

    For market participants, the key areas of monitoring remain:

• changes in purchase prices for spruce and pine logs;

• dynamics of logging in Norway and other Scandinavian countries;

• export volumes of roundwood and coniferous lumber;

• utilization of European sawmilling facilities;

• the ratio of the cost of raw materials, processing and transportation.

    These indicators help to assess the competitiveness of suppliers, plan purchases and identify promising sales areas.

Forecast: the value of the balance of supply and demand will remain

    It is premature to make an unambiguous forecast of the future dynamics of the Norwegian market without additional data on prices, stocks and supply volumes. If logging remains high and demand from processors does not grow at a comparable rate, pressure on prices may persist. At the same time, a change in export demand or a reduction in supply can affect the market balance.

Industry participants should monitor new price data and foreign trade statistics in order to assess the development of the situation based on actual indicators.

The main conclusion

    In September 2026, the Norwegian roundwood market was characterized by lower prices for spruce and pine logs, with high logging and continued interest from European sawmills. The situation highlights that active exports and steady demand do not always lead to higher prices for raw materials. For global market participants, the balance of supply, supply conditions and the state of the woodworking industry are crucial.

    Other industry materials are available in the "Market News" section.

Tags: #Norway #World market of wood #Roundwood #Price of wood #Spruce #Pine #Logging #European Sawmills #Export of wood #Lumber #Scandinavia #Forestry

Edited Moderator (Oct. 18, 2026 18:48:23)