Prices & Market Conditions
South-wide Stumpage MarketsA wet 1st Quarter restricted wood supply, causing South-wide average stumpage prices to increase for the three major pine products this quarter. However, stumpage prices for both major hardwood products declined in the 1stQuarter.
The upward movement in pine stumpage prices was in line with the seasonal, wintertime trends that have seen stumpage prices increase quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q) in the 1stQuarter in eight of the last 11 years for both pine saw timber and pine pulpwood, and in nine of the last 11 years for pine chip-n-saw.
However, markets were affected late in the quarter by the COVID-19 outbreak, dampening these seasonal upswings. Just the opposite trend has prevailed for the major hardwood products, as hardwood saw timber price has decreased Q/Q in the 1st Quarter each of the last four years – and in nine of the last 13 years. Similarly, hardwood pulpwood price declined in the 1stQuarter seven of the last 12 years.