For instance, 28% of sawyers and forest owners each expect increasing roundwood prices for the upcoming six months. While almost 60% of sawyers anticipate stable prices (forestry: 34%), most forest owners (38%) reckon roundwood prices to keep sinking. Three months ago, 86% of sawyers prepared for constant prices and no one expected them to sink.
So, 38% of forest owners are expecting sinking roundwood prices for the upcoming six months. Accordingly, half of them anticipate sinking sales, and 38% stable sales.
Just before the winter, more than half of surveyed sawyers foresee declining sales for the next three months. One year ago, the business sentiment was significantly more optimistic. Back then, only 23% expected revenues to decline.
Sawyer sentiment is darkening
When asking about the future business situation, the mood has significantly darkened, as well. While at the same time in 2018, more than 60% of sawmill owners still anticipated a "good" business situation, this year only 12% indicated this expectation. In contrast, twice as many (24%), expect poor economic development. Still 57% predict a stable situation for the upcoming six months.
No one is optimistic
Not a single forest owner forecasts a "good" economic situation for the final quarter. Rather, the exact opposite is the case: 72% expect a poor development of the business situation and only 28% of forest owners think it will be "satisfying".
You can find detailed results of our economic surveys here in Datacube (dedicated subscription necessary).
