Introduction

The latest National Statistics on Timber Price Indices produced by Forest Research were released on 16 May 2024 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 March 2024 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 index was 9.3% lower in real terms (3.1% lower in nominal terms) in the year to March 2024 compared with the previous year.
• The average price for coniferous standing sales was £30.22 per cubic metre overbark standing in nominal terms in the year to March 2024, a decrease from £31.13 in the year to March 2023.

In the Softwood Sawlog Price Index

• The Softwood Sawlog Price Index was 1.3% lower in real terms (4.6% higher in nominal terms) in the 6 months to March 2024, compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.
• The average price for softwood sawlog sales was £55.98 per cubic metre overbark in nominal terms in the 6-month period to March 2024, an increase from £55.30 in the 6 months to September 2023 and £53.53 in the 6 months to March 2023.
• The Spruce Sawlog Price Index and Other Conifer Sawlog Price Index were 3.8% lower and 7.8% higher, respectively, in real terms in the 6 months to March 2024, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

In the Small Roundwood Price Index

• The Small Roundwood Price Index was 2.5% lower in real terms (3.3% higher in nominal terms) in the 6 months to March 2024, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
• The average price for small roundwood sales was £40.12 per cubic metre overbark in nominal terms in the 6-month period to March 2024, a decrease from £40.27 in the 6 months to September 2023, but an increase from £38.85 in the 6 months to March 2023.

Details

Statistician: Daniel Braby

Contact: Francisco Gonzalez

Tel: 0300 067 5238

E-mail: statistics@forestresearch.gov.uk

Next update

Timber Price Indices (data to September 2024) will be released on 14 November 2024.

Timber Price Indices (data to March 2025) will be released on 22 May 2025.

Pre-release access

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

Downloads

Previous releases

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

• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2023)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2023)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2022)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2022)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2021)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2021)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2020)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2020)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2019)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2019)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2018)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2018)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2017)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2017)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2016)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2016)
• Timber Price Indices (data to September 2015)
• Timber Price Indices (data to March 2015)

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.