The rise of lumber transportation costs in Europe will continue

Lumber prices directly depend on the cost of its transportation. Since mid-1990s, Russia has been gradually increasing the volumes of lumber import from Europe. Accordingly, empty freight transport on the way back used to go to the Baltic countries in order to load wood products and deliver them to other European countries.

Due to the sanctions, Russia stopped importing European lumber, which caused shortage of trucks for transportation of goods (wood products) from the Baltic countries to other European countries. Suppliers from the Baltic States began to use sea transport for cargo delivery, which entails additional financial and time costs. This trend will remain in the near future, so the prices for lumber transportation in Europe will continue to grow.