Unusually low stocks of softwood sawlogs

Nyhet | Statistik - 07 November 2023

On 30 September, stocks of softwood sawlogs amounted to 2.1 million cubic metres, according to the Swedish Forest Agency's survey. Stocks have not been this low since the measurement started in 2013.

All the wood balance areas had low stocks of softwood sawlogs, while stocks of pulpwood were on a par with the same time last year or slightly higher.

Stocks of softwood pulpwood (including spruce pulpwood) amounted to 3.1 million cubic metres, which was an increase of 4 percent compared with the end of September 2022. Stocks of hardwood pulpwood amounted to 0.8 million cubic metres, which was 40 percent more than at the same time last year.

Timber stocks on 30 September 2023 totalled 6.7 million cubic meters, which was 5 percent less than the same time last year.

By assortment (comparison with the same time last year):

• Coniferous sawlogs 2.1 million cubic meters (-26%)
• Pulpwood 3.9 million cubic meters (+9%)
• Pulp chips 0.7 million cubic meters (+5%)

Changes in the survey

We have made a couple of changes to this year's survey. Stocks of softwood sawlogs at industry and in terminals are from now on reported together. Stocks of softwood, pine pulpwood and spruce pulpwood are reported together as softwood pulpwood. Older data for these variables are therefore combined for a fair comparison with the results for the year.

Explanation

The cubic meter referred to is m³f ub, solid cubic meter without bark.

Timber balance areas (VBO)

1. Västernorrland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten and Jämtland counties (excl. Härjedalen municipality)
2. Stockholm, Uppsala, Gotland, Västmanland, Dalarna and Gävleborg counties and Härjedalen municipality.
3. Västra Götaland (excl. Ale, Lerum, Vårgårda, Bollebygd, Tranemo, Lilla Edet, Mark, Svenljunga, Herrljunga, Vänersborg, Trollhättan, Alingsås, Borås and Ulricehamn municipalities), Värmland and Örebro counties and Habo and Mullsjö municipalities.
4. Södermanland, Östergötland, Jönköping (excl. Habo and Mullsjö municipalities), Kronoberg, Kalmar, Blekinge, Skåne and Halland counties and the municipalities of Ale, Lerum, Vårgårda, Bollebygd, Tranemo, Lilla Edet, Mark, Svenljunga, Herrljunga, Vänersborg, Trollhättan, Alingsås, Borås and Ulricehamn).

The statistics are a part of the Official Statistics of Sweden.

You find all results in the Swedish Forest Agency's statistical database.