At the end of January, the Timber Market Commission met for the first time in its new composition. The market situation was discussed. Swiss sawmills are reporting high demand. The price trend for round timber is on the rise.

The new Timber Market Commission (HMK) is composed of equal numbers of timber suppliers and timber buyers. It plans to meet at least twice a year to discuss the timber market.

Strong demand at sawmills
The situation on the timber market is considered to be good. The commission notes that strong demand for Swiss raw timber suggests that volumes will increase. This assessment is based on two surveys of market players and timber price statistics. The order situation in the construction industry is generally considered to be good to very good. “Timber construction in particular is showing high and stable capacity utilization,” according to the HMK statement. Timber industry companies expect stable capacity utilization in the coming months.

There are differing assessments among sawmills. Large sawmills report a good to very good order situation, while smaller sawmills rate it as moderate to good. Overall, demand for Swiss sawn timber is considered stable to rising. Sawn timber stocks are described as adequate to rather low.

High demand for energy wood
This is affecting demand for Swiss raw timber. Demand for softwood, and spruce/fir in particular, is high and exceeds supply. Forty-four percent of sawmills have low roundwood stocks. According to HMK, the situation will remain unchanged in the coming months.

The situation is different for industrial wood. According to HMK, demand and prices are stable to declining. “The price difference compared to energy wood is currently so small that some potential industrial wood is being used as energy wood,” writes the commission. Demand for energy wood is high due to seasonal factors, and prices have risen. Demand for coniferous logs is stable to rising. “Larch in particular is in high demand, which has led to a rise in prices,” writes the HMK.

Price trend instead of recommended retail price
Hardwood logs play a minor role, with demand weak to slightly declining. Among hardwoods, only ash and good oak qualities are seeing robust demand.

Prices are relevant for farmers. According to HMK, there are significant regional differences. At its meeting, the commission did not set target prices, but rather price trends. “There has been an upward trend in the leading coniferous wood product ranges since July 2025, particularly for long wood,” according to the HMK. Demand and prices for beech logs, on the other hand, are weak to slightly declining.

The two associations Waldschweiz and Holzindustrie Schweiz (HIS) act as sponsors of the new HMK. The revised legal basis makes it possible to publish guide prices for Swiss raw timber.

Source: schweizerbauer.ch