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Introduction

The latest National Statistics on Timber Price Indices pr National Statistics logo oduced by Forest Research were released on 17 November 2022 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

Timber Price Indices are based on sales by Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland and Natural Resources Wales and consist of the Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index and the Softwood Sawlog Price Index. They present data to September 2022 for Great Britain.

In addition, this release also covers a new index for small roundwood and two new sub-indices of the Softwood Sawlog index, covering spruces and other conifers.

Key findings

In the Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index

The Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index was 6.2% lower in real terms (3.5% lower in nominal terms) in the year to September 2022 compared with the previous year.
The average price for coniferous standing sales was £38.81 per cubic metre overbark standing in nominal terms in the year to September 2022, a decrease from £40.12 in the year to September 2021.

In the Softwood Sawlog Price Index

The Softwood Sawlog Price Index was 18.6% lower in real terms (15.3% lower in nominal terms) in the 6 months to September 2022, compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.
The average price for softwood sawlog sales was £67.25 per cubic metre overbark in nominal terms in the 6-month period to September 2022, a decrease from £79.39 in the 6 months to September 2022.
The Spruce Sawlog Price Index and Other Conifer Sawlog Price Index were 16.8% and 22.8% lower, respectively, in real terms in the 6 months to September 2022, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the Small Roundwood Price Index

The Small Roundwood Price Index was 12.9% higher in real terms (17.4% higher in nominal terms) in the 6 months to September 2022, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
The average price for small roundwood sales was £44.51 per cubic metre overbark in nominal terms in the 6-month period to September 2022, an increase from £37.92 in the 6 months to September 2021.

Details

Statistician: Daniel Braby

Contact: Francisco Gonzalez

Tel: 0300 067 5238

E-mail: statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk

Next update

Timber Price Indices (data to March 2023) will be released on 18 May 2023.

Timber Price Indices (data to September 2023) will be released on 16 November 2023.

Pre-release access

Information on pre-release access to these publications can be found in the pre-release access pages.

Downloads

Timber Price Indices (data to September 2022) - statistics notice

PDF, 0.28 MB

Timber Price Indices (data to September 2022) - spreadsheet

ODS

Timber Price Indices - Quality Report

PDF, 0.04 MB

Timber Sales - Quality Assurance of Administrative Data report

PDF, 0.58 MB

Methodology for the Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index - report

PDF, 0.15 MB

Previous releases

Price indices for standing sales and for softwood sawlog prices are published twice yearly.

User engagement

In order to improve the statistics that we produce and to ensure that they remain relevant, we are interested in hearing from people who use our statistics. More information on how we consult users and contact details can be found on our user engagement page.