Prices for timber have remained steady in the second quarter of the year, as per the latest forestry timber market survey conducted by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA). The IFA Timber Price Survey indicates that there have been no significant fluctuations in the prices received for various timber products since the beginning of the year. Specifically, the survey revealed that ‘roadside’ prices for Sitka spruce timber were as follows: Pulpwood prices varied between €36-€40 per ton; Stalkwood prices ranged from €42-€52 per ton; Palletwood prices were in the range of €48-€66 per ton, depending on the produced length; Sawlog prices fell between €88-€100 per ton. These prices, as reported in the IFA Timber Price Survey, were gathered from forest owners, forestry companies, and sawmills.
Jason Fleming, the chairperson of the IFA’s Farm Forestry Committee, commented on the survey findings, stating, “Timber prices have shown stability in the first half of 2024, indicating a consistent market demand.” Fleming highlighted that the steady nature of the Irish timber market mirrors the overall trends seen in the EU and global markets, which have remained balanced without significant disruptions. He also emphasized the importance for farmers to explore different options to maximize their returns due to some price variations observed across the country.
In other forestry-related news, the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine has granted 244 approvals for small-scale planting covering 266 hectares under the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS) thus far this year. This scheme enables farmers to plant up to 1 hectare of native woodland without a license, or up to 2 hectares if they have a suitable watercourse for planting. Alongside the approvals under the NTAS, the department has sanctioned the overall planting of 1,939 hectares of forestry up to the week ending last Friday (June 14). This figure includes 209 hectares approved for afforestation by the department in the past two weeks, as per the latest Forestry Licencing Dashboard. Notably, 613 hectares have already been planted in 2024. The department clarified that this figure only accounts for afforestation that has received initial grant payment this year, encompassing the NTAS as well.
