In France, the end of 2017 brought a new wave of rising oak log prices in forests. This is the main conclusion drawn from the last auctions held in November and December. Over the past financial year, and at an annual rate, the price increases averaged by around 10%, with some regional disparities.
For French professionals, the main question now is whether the markets in France will support a new price increase in 2018. Indeed, after four years of uninterrupted increase, or about 50% over 2014-2017, the prices of the oak sawlogs seem to have reached a level such that it is difficult to imagine a new increase without adverse repercussions on the health of markets.
On the other hand, the other hardwood markets are moving in a much less dynamic context. That of beech - one of the cheapest hardwoods in the world today - is plagued by the slow markets for sawn timber in France and Europe, in general. In fact, logs of good quality, intended for niche markets such as cabinetry or staircase, find buyers in the Hexagon and the neighboring countries, but in confidential volumes.