Latest data from FWPA confirms Eastcoast prices for key sawn structural softwood products are continuing to ease. The data is consistent with the ABS producer price series (discussed elsewhere in this issue of Stats Count) and demonstrates that for the volume products in particular, the decline in prices has been mostly consistent.
One of the main products is Structural Treated <120mm. Its weighted average price was $880.58 per m3 in the March quarter, down 2.0% in the quarter and 4.8% over the year.
The untreated sibling product, Structural Untreated <120mm saw the weighted average price rise 0.1% (or $0.52) to $721.89/m3, narrowing the differential between the two to around $159/m3, on average.
Another major project is External Treated H3 which showed similar easing to its <120mm treated cousin during the period. The Eastcoast weighted average price in the March quarter was $1,071.39 per m3 down -2.6% and down -5.7% over the year.
By comparison, packaging grade material was down significantly in the March quarter, with Dry Packaging $362.22 per m3 in the March quarter down -7.2% and 13.3% over the year, as shown below. Not shown in this chart series is the Green Packaging product, which at $353.49/m3 was down 1.4% for the quarter and 5.0% lower for the year.
The dry packaging price shown below is falling faster than the green packaging price.
Overall, the price trends for sawn softwood are headed in very similar directions and on a largely consistent basis.
