Timber price pressures after period of stability

Timber prices have shown some stability over the past year but shortages in supply could force prices up, a new report suggests.

The Bidwells Timber Price Database recorded responses from 75 sales transactions covering almost 615,000 cubic metres of timber traded mainly in Scotland, but with some information from northern England and Wales. It provides an insight to a forestry sector that contributes near- ly £1 billion annually to Scotland’s economy.

Raymond Henderson, head of forestry with Bidwells, said: “With a standing value to growers of over £14 million, the results provide a reasonable snapshot of timber prices achieved in the private sector during the reporting period of April to September 2017.

“There looks to be little significant change in prices paid, but this picture is perhaps not being backed up by current reports of supply shortages and increasing upwards pressure on standing sales values.”