New record high harvesting costs

The cost of harvesting (felling and extraction to roadside) increased by 9 percent in 2023, according to new statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency and Skogforsk. Costs for regeneration harvests have risen every year since 2017, by 39 percent in all. The producer price index has increased by 41 percent during the same period.

An increase in the area of notified felling in May

The latest statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency show that the area notified for felling in May increased 4 percent, compared to May 2023. The area regarding applications for permits for final felling in montane forests decreased to a little less than a quarter of the level seen in the same month last year.

Sharp decrease in fellings in 2023

Felling in Sweden decreased in 2023 and amounted to just under 90 million cubic meters standing volume according to preliminary statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency. The decline means that the trend in recent years of high felling levels was broken in 2023. The level is the lowest since 2016.

Minor changes in voluntary set-asides and certified area during 2023

1.3 million hectares of forest land were voluntary set-asides during 2023 and the certified area was 14.7 million hectares. Both voluntary set-asides and certified area decreased marginally since 2022, according to the Swedish Forest Agency’s statistics.

An increase in the area of notified felling in April

The latest statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency show that the area notified for felling in April increased 13 percent, compared to April 2023. The area regarding applications for permits for final felling in montane forests decreased 10 percent compared to the same month last year.

More softwood sawlogs in stock, but less pulpwood

Stocks of softwood sawlogs on 31 March 2024 were 10 percent higher compared to the same quarter last year, according to the Swedish Forest Agency's inventory survey. By contrast, stocks of pulpwood decreased by 7 percent.

Increase in roundwood prices

The roundwood prices on delivery timber increased for both sawlog and pulpwood during the first quarter of 2024 in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2023. The sawlog price increased by 8 percent and pulpwood by 3 percent.

Increase of delivered seedlings in 2023

In 2023, 431 million seedlings were delivered, which is an increase of 9 million (2 percent) compared to 2022. It is however 21 million seedlings less than the peak year 2021.

Notified area for felling for March decreased compared with March 2023

The latest statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency show that the area notified for felling in March decreased 13 percent, compared to March 2023. The area regarding applications for permits for final felling in montane forests decreased to barely one twelfth, compared to the same month last year.

Average area per holding were 34 hectares in 2023

New statistics from the Swedish Forest Agency show that the average area per holding owned by Swedish forest owners has increased from 30 hectares in 1999 to 34 hectares in 2023. The median has decreased from 13 to 11 hectares during the same period.