In the first quarter of 2023, the log price index remained relatively constant and reached its highest value so far this year, i.e. 172.9%, in March (January 2001 = 100%). Since then, the price index has been falling month after month. In June, it decreased by around 5 percentage month on month to 162.7%. Year on year, an even bigger decrease of 20 percentage points was recorded.
The lumber prices have seen a very similar development this year, resulting in a nearly synchronous trend of both price indices since March this year. In June, the lumber price index fell by around 3 percentage points compared to May and is now at 163.9%.
As a result of the turbulent development of prices since the beginning of 2021, there is a big gap between the lumber price index value in June and that of the same month of last year. Compared to the intermediate high of last summer (238.4% in June 2022), the index has decreased by approximately 75 percentage points.
Data were collected by the Austrian Timber Industry Association. In our Datacube, you can find charts depicting the developments of the past 20 years.
