Tools and Resources
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Timber Price Indices are based on sales of softwood (conifers) by the Forestry Commission and Natural Resources Wales and are released every 6 months. They cover:
The Coniferous Standing Sales Price Index monitors changes in the average price received per cubic metre for timber that the Forestry Commission/ Natural Resources Wales sold standing, where the purchaser is responsible for harvesting.
The Softwood Sawlog Price Index monitors changes in the average price received per cubic metre of sawlogs (roundwood with a top diameter of 14 cm or more, destined to be sawn into planks or boards) sold at roadside by the Forestry Commission/ Natural Resources Wales.
Standing timber and sawlogs are distinct markets, and may show different price movements. The data are averages for historic periods, so may be slow to show any turning points.
These indices are used to monitor trends in timber prices and to provide information on the state of the UK timber industry. They are also used by the UK timber industry, alongside other economic indicators, in contract reviews.
There is little other information currently available on wood prices before primary processing and no price index is available for broadleaves. Prices for outputs of primary wood processing are collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in the Producer Price Indices (PPIs), and these are available in the MM22 Business Monitor which gives detailed PPIs monthly.
Table 8.1 presents the coniferous standing sales and sawlog price indices for Great Britain to March 2016.
The coniferous standing sales price index for Great Britain was 9.7% lower in real terms in the year to March 2016, compared with the previous year (Table 8.1). The softwood sawlog price index was 16.7% lower in real terms in the 6 months to March 2016, compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.
| Period ending March | Standing sales2 | Sawlogs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal terms3 | Real terms4 | Nominal terms3 | Real terms4 | ||
| index (period to September 2011 = 100) | |||||
| 2007 | 57.2 | 64.2 | 78.1 | 87.2 | |
| 2008 | 89.6 | 97.8 | 91.5 | 99.2 | |
| 2009 | 64.0 | 68.1 | 67.5 | 71.4 | |
| 2010 | 67.5 | 70.1 | 83.3 | 85.8 | |
| 2011 | 93.5 | 94.3 | 85.7 | 85.8 | |
| 2012 | 97.5 | 96.9 | 91.7 | 90.6 | |
| 2013 | 91.3 | 89.1 | 93.7 | 91.0 | |
| 2014 | 105.5 | 100.8 | 110.3 | 105.0 | |
| 2015 | 126.4 | 119.0 | 120.3 | 113.5 | |
| 2016 | 114.4 | 107.5 | 100.3 | 94.5 | |
Source: Timber Price Indices: data to March 2016
Notes:
1. The price indices are constructed from information on sales by the Forestry Commission/ Natural Resources Wales only.
2. Until November 2008 the Laspeyres method was used to calculate the standing sales index to take account of the size mix. Since then the Fisher method with 5 year chain linking has been adopted and has superseded the Laspeyres method, following a period of transition. The figures shown here are from the Fisher chain-linked index.
3. Nominal prices are the actual prices at that point in time.
4. Real terms values are obtained by using the GDP deflator to convert to “constant prices” (in this case prices in 2011). This allows trends in timber prices to be tracked without the influence of inflation.
Figure 8.1 Coniferous standing sales and sawlog price indices1,2 in real terms3, 1985-2016
Source: Timber Price Indices: data to March 2016
Notes:
1. The price indices are constructed from information on sales by the Forestry Commission/ Natural Resources Wales only.
2. Until November 2008 the Laspeyres method was used to calculate the standing sales index to take account of the size mix. Since then the Fisher method with 5 year chain linking has been adopted and has superseded the Laspeyres method, following a period of transition. The figures shown here are from the Fisher chain-linked index.
3. Real terms values are obtained by using the GDP deflator to convert to “constant prices” (in this case prices in 2011). This allows trends in timber prices to be tracked without the influence of inflation.
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