Moscow. Dec 31, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Wood fiber costs fell for the first time in many years in practically all major pulp producing regions around the world in the 3Q 2008. The wood fiber cost drop was the result of two major factors, namely a strengthening US dollar against most major currencies, and a reduced demand for pulpwood, informed Lesprom Network according to the market report Wood Resource Quarterly.The average global softwood pulpwood price fell 2% to $110.43 per oven-dry metric ton in the 3Q 2008. This was the biggest quarter-to-quarter decline since 2001. The average price was up 11% from 2007 and was 26% higher than two years ago. Despite the fall, the price was still the second highest ever recorded since 1988, when Wood Resource Quarterly started tracking global wood markets. In the 3Q 2008 the softwood fiber costs were lower in practically all regions, except Norway, France and southern USA, where prices were higher because of tight supply. With the global decline in paper demand and many pulp mills cutting back production, it is likely that wood costs will continue down in early 2009. The average hardwood wood fiber cost was up almost $2 in the 3Q, reaching a new record-high of $110.71 per oven-dry metric ton. During the past five years, wood fiber costs have gone up in practically all major regions that produce hardwood pulp, including Brazil, Indonesia, Finland, Russia, Japan, and southern USA. |
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