Introduction
The latest National Statistics on Timber Price Indices 
produced by Forest Research were released on 16 November 2023 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 2023 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 28.1% lower in real terms (22.6% lower in nominal terms) in the year to September 2023 compared with the previous year.
- The average price for coniferous standing sales was £30.33 per cubic metre overbark standing in nominal terms in the year to September 2023, a decrease from £38.81 in the year to September 2022.
In the Softwood Sawlog Price Index
- The Softwood Sawlog Price Index was 23.7% lower in real terms (17.7% lower in nominal terms) in the 6 months to September 2023, compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.
- The average price for softwood sawlog sales was £55.30 per cubic metre overbark in nominal terms in the 6-month period to September 2023, an increase from £53.53 in the 6 months to March 2023, but a decrease from £67.25 in the 6 months to September 2022.
- The Spruce Sawlog Price Index and Other Conifer Sawlog Price Index were 23.3% and 24.8% lower, respectively, in real terms in the 6 months to September 2023 compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
In the Small Roundwood Price Index
- The Small Roundwood Price Index was 16.1% lower in real terms (9.5% lower in nominal terms) in the 6 months to September 2023, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
- The average price for small roundwood sales was £40.27 per cubic metre overbark in nominal terms in the 6-month period to September 2023, an increase from £38.85 in the 6 months to March 2023, but a decrease from £44.51 in the 6 months to September 2022.
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 2024) will be released on 16 May 2024.
Timber Price Indices (data to September 2024) will be released on 14 November 2024.
Pre-release access
Information on pre-release access to these publications can be found in the pre-release access pages.
