Price increases in Spain now unable to be pushed through nationwide after all

The price increases of €10-15/m³ announced for Scandinavian softwood lumber in Spain in April have now been unable to be pushed through nationwide after all. At the beginning of the second quarter, shippers had been able to raise prices for the more sought-after redwood assortments by up to €15/m³ in some cases. Suppliers had also made an upward adjustment to those prices that that had previously been moving at a relatively low level. Buyers had then put up relatively heavy resistance against a general increase in redwood prices in Spain, however. The price increases currently amount to an average of €5/m³. Prices for spruce lumber are mostly stable at the level of the first quarter. Shippers had originally announced another round of price increases for June. Market players believe higher prices cannot be pushed through in Spain at the moment, though. Largely stable whitewood prices are anticipated in the third quarter. In contrast, shippers see better opportunities for raising pine prices. Underway at the moment in some places are negotiations on contracts for volumes due to be delivered in the third quarter, though no major contracts have been concluded so far.