Log prices hit the market in France

 Friday, August 29, 2025

In 2025, France’s timber market presents a paradox: while log prices have soared to unprecedented levels, the sawn timber sector faces significant challenges. This divergence is reshaping the landscape for sawmills, builders, and woodworking professionals across the country.

The French timber market makes a substantial contribution to the country’s economy, especially in the areas of energy, furniture, and building. Even though log prices have decreased since 2022, they are still higher than they were before the outbreak. Limited timber mobilisation, especially from small private forests, and the growing need for sustainable practices as a result of deforestation concerns and the effects of climate change are major obstacles. Despite supply constraints and the need for better marketing and logistics, the market is experiencing an increase in demand for timber construction, particularly with the rise of mass timber products like CLT and glulam.

Record log prices

Log prices in France have reached all-time highs, driven by several factors:

• Supply Shortages: A reduction in available timber due to various factors, including environmental challenges and increased demand, has tightened supply.
• Increased Demand: Strong demand from construction and export markets has further strained supply chains.
• Market Dynamics: Speculative buying and hoarding have contributed to price inflation.

These factors have led to a significant increase in log prices, benefiting forest owners and timber traders.

Sawn timber market struggles

Contrasting the surge in log prices, the sawn timber market in France is experiencing a downturn:

• Declining Prices: Sawn timber prices have been on the decline, with some reports indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels.
• Reduced Demand: The construction sector’s slowdown, particularly in residential housing, has led to decreased demand for sawn timber.
• Overproduction: Sawmills, facing high log prices, have increased production, leading to an oversupply in the market.
• These challenges are impacting the profitability of sawmills and the broader woodworking industry.

Regional Impacts

The effects of these market dynamics vary across different regions of France:

• Eastern France: Areas affected by the spruce bark beetle crisis are witnessing an influx of dry wood, further complicating the market.
• Western France: Regions with a strong presence of sawmills are experiencing increased competition and price pressures.

These regional disparities highlight the complex nature of the timber market in France.

Outlook for the timber industry

Looking ahead, the French timber industry faces a challenging yet potentially transformative period:

Market Adjustment: The market may undergo a correction as supply and demand dynamics realign.

• Technological Innovation: Sawmills investing in technology and efficiency may better navigate the current challenges.
• Policy Support: Government initiatives aimed at supporting the timber sector could provide relief and stimulate growth.

While the immediate outlook presents challenges, these factors could pave the way for a more balanced and resilient timber industry in France.

Challenges faced by the French market

Supply bottlenecks: Harvesting volumes are limited by the ongoing difficulty of mobilising timber, particularly from small, fragmented private forests.

Climate change: Unfavorable weather patterns and growing climate stress make forest management more difficult and may require salvage logging, which has an effect on biodiversity.

Sustainable practices: To address worries about deforestation, there is an increasing focus on sustainable forestry and accountability within the timber supply chain.

Demand & Sectors

Building: A primary driver of demand, since both conventional and mass timber buildings increasingly employ engineered wood products like glulam and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT).

Furniture & Energy: In addition to providing fuelwood and wood pulp for energy and paper manufacture, the market also services the furniture sector.

Solutions and prospects

Better marketing & logistics: Efforts are being made to create better pre-sale models and logistics for small private forests, as well as to enhance the marketing of timber from major forest estates.

Technological adoption: The logistics and processing industries for timber are changing as a result of automation and digitisation.

Forest management: To boost timber mobilisation, boost productivity, and mitigate environmental effects, concentrate on enhancing forest management.

France’s timber market in 2025 is characterised by record log prices juxtaposed with a struggling sawn timber sector. This situation underscores the complexities of the timber industry and the need for strategic adjustments by stakeholders. By addressing supply chain issues, embracing technological advancements, and seeking policy support, the French timber industry can navigate these challenges and work towards a more sustainable and profitable future.

Read more news on: CLT, sawmills, forestry, logistics

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Tags: builders, dry wood, French timber market, sawmills, sawn timber, supply chain