South-wide Stumpage Markets
South-wide average prices increased for both pine and hardwood saw timber as well as for pine pulpwood in the 4th quarter; pine chip-n-saw and hardwood pulpwood prices both decreased. Prices for the three major pine products changed very little this quarter; each respective pine product’s average price increased/decreased by 1% or less quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q).
South-wide average prices for the major hardwood products, however, experienced more substantial swings. Specifically, hardwood saw timber price increased 5% Q/Q and to within $ 0.35 of its record high set in the 3rd Quarter of 2016. This upward price movement was in line with seasonal, wintertime trends that have seen hardwood saw timber prices increase Q/Q in the 4th Quarter in18 of the last 25 years.