Last year, the stock levels of many sawmills fell steadily due to difficult weather conditions and the resulting reduced supply, coupled with a largely constant order situation. Above-average rainfall led to permanently waterlogged soils in 2024, which made harvesting difficult or temporarily impossible in many regions. At the same time, smaller volumes of beetle-damaged wood accumulated.
The Swiss Timber Industry Association warns that while production can be maintained at the moment, Swiss sawmills are at risk of having an insufficient supply of sawlogs in the summer. At the same time, the association is calling on all forest owners to start felling harvestable trees as soon as possible, stressing that clear agreements between forest owners and buyers regarding qualities, prices and time of provision are essential.
