News

Incorrect figures on harvested forests in Nature article

The scientific journal Nature have published a paper reporting on dramatically increased levels of forest harvesting, which is not consistent with Swedish statistics and is based on dubious methods.

Storm and bark beetles increased felling costs in 2019

The cost of felling in large scale forestry increased by 6 percent in 2019, according to new statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency. Difficult fellings that were caused by storm and bark beetle infestation affected the cost.

The high interest for final felling in Gävleborg County continues

The increase during spring in areas notified for final felling in Gävleborg County continued in May, although at a slower rate. However, most other counties present a decline.

More area under certification and more voluntary set-asides 2019

The area of voluntary set-asides increased by 4 percent and the certified area increased by 1 percent in 2019 compared with 2018. This is shown by the Swedish Forest Agency’s annual statistics on voluntary set-asides and certified area.

Continued sharp increase in Gävleborg County

The sharp increase in areas notified for final felling in Gävleborg County in March continued in April, and the notified area more than doubled in comparison with the same month 2019.

Timber stocks still large

According to statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency, stocks of coniferous sawlogs, pulpwood and chips are estimated to have reached 10.6 million cubic metres as of March 31, 2020. This is an increase of 5 percent since the same date last year.

Slight decrease in roundwood prices

The trend of decreasing delivery prices continued during the first quarter of 2020, according to new statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency. The price of pulpwood decreased by 1.2 percent and the sawlog price by 0.5 percent, in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2019.

Fewer seedlings treated with pesticides 2019

The usage of pesticides on coniferous seedlings declined by 4 per cent 2019 compared to 2018. Instead mechanical treatment is used. This is shown by annual statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency on sold seedlings. The amount sold is about the same as the previous year.

Interest in notifying for final felling turned up again in March

After a trend of declining levels of areas notified for final felling during last fall and winter, there was a clear turning up during March. The increase was 16 per cent in comparison with the same month 2019. Region Central Sweden had the largest increase and in region Northern Sweden the levels reached the highest note since 2007.

Large decrease of new protected forest

The Swedish Forest Agency’s decisions on protection of forests fell sharply in 2019, in comparison with the previous year. The area in new nature conservation agreements decreased by 74 percent to the lowest level in 20 years, according to new statistics.