Almost all of the contracts, the majority of which are valid until the end of March and in some cases for the entire year 2026, stipulate higher prices. In the northern half of Germany, prices range from €28 to €31 per stere (all prices ex-forest road). In bidding processes, prices of well over €31/st have already been achieved. Accordingly, demands in ongoing negotiations are high, reaching up to €35/st.
In southern Germany, only a few new deals have been reached so far, since existing contracts are often valid until the end of the year, with prices between €22 and €25/st. Log trading companies also purchase wood from this area for long-distance transport to eastern Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Forest owners, often forestry cooperatives, are also offered additional premiums for volumes and logistics, which can raise the price by a further €1 to €5/st.
Pellet mills are a major driver of price increases in the northern half of the country. Mills that are integrated with sawmills have also expanded their purchases of industrial softwood logs. €29 to €32/st are paid for deliveries to pellet mills, i.e. €2/st more compared to previous payments. Preliminary contracts with the pulp and paper industry, with prices of just under €30/st, predominantly represent the lower end of the price range.
In eastern Germany, forest owners were able to secure premiums of €2 to €3/st for deliveries to OSB mills, resulting in prices of €35 to €36/st. In ongoing negotiations, prices as high as €37/st are also being demanded.
In the northwest, the prices paid by animal bedding producers and soil mills still represent the upper end of the scale. However, at €38 to €41/st, there has apparently not been any further increase.
In addition to industrial log wood for pellet production, demand is also driven by OSB mills. MDF and particleboard plants are reducing their production, but they intend to replace sawmill byproducts with industrial log wood. Despite the restrictions, demand remains solid.
