Update, 18. November 2024 8:25
E-SPF, 2-by-4, 16 feet, KD, #2&better, loaded on truck, was quoted at 595 US-$/1000 bft on November 15, according to the Holzkurier survey. With a euro exchange rate of only 1.05 US-$/€, European exporters do get 364 €/m³ (actual size). This is the highest figure in exactly two years. In calendar week 46/2022, the value was €369/m³, i.e. €5/m³ higher.
European exporters and US importers, who help us with price analysis, expect prices to rise again this week. 75% of the reporters make this prediction.
Europeans are benefiting from currency developments. From the high for the year two months ago (1.12 US-$/€), the euro fell to a new low for the year of 1.05 US-$/€ by Friday, 15 November.
Update, 10. November 17:14
According to the Holzkurier price survey, the price of E-SPF rose again by 20 USD/1000 bft last week. On November 8, European 2-by-4 already reached 572 US-$/1000 bft. Since September, the Holzkurier editorial team has been collecting weekly prices for E-SPF, 2-by-4, 16 feet, KD, #2&better, loaded onto trucks. It was no different in calendar week 45. On a euro basis, European export timber currently achieves €343/m³ (plus €15/m³).
Low inventories and top prices for 2-by-6 are currently the drivers of the market. "Take advantage of the opportunities now. In the USA, too, the trees do not grow into the sky," is the assessment of the importers surveyed. Almost 80% of the market experts we surveyed expect a further price increase for the current week.
Most exporters are optimistic about the 1st quarter of 2025 and consider the risk of oversaturation of the US market to be low. The supply of round timber remains just as tight in North America as it is in Europe.
Update, 4. November 2024
It continues to go up. The US softwood sawn timber price for European softwood sawn timber climbed to 550 US-$/1000 bft on the US East Coast on 1 November. Since the beginning of August, the quotations have already risen by 100 US-$/1000 bft. The major European exporters and the large US importers were confident in the Holzkurier industry survey: Things are continuing to improve! If you believe this prediction, another jump of 20 US-$/1000 bft is not ruled out this week.
According to Holzkurier price research, E-SPF, 2-by-4, 16 feet, KD, #2&better, loaded on truck, is 328 €/m³ (actual size) at the current conversion factor. On 1 November, this was €10/m³ more than a week earlier. There has already been an increase of €60/m³ since the beginning of August.
