Changes in the Market of Precious Wood: A Case Study of Submission System in Poland

Abstract

A timber market occupies a very particular position within the economic reality. Trading of commodities such as precious timber is, indeed, strongly conditioned by the carrying capacity and the silvicultural potential of the forest ecosystem. Timber markets in Poland are characterized by a controlling position of the State Forests, and one of the possible forms of wood sale is the system of submission. A submission usually implies that small quantities of wood with unusual features are being offered to a specific group of customers. The paper presents the sale results and prices of veneer wood commercialized in submission systems and in other forms of timber sale in the territory of Krosno during the years 2000−2019. It is one of the oldest submission markets in Poland, where the most expensive log ever in Poland was sold (13,000 USD/log—close to 7000 USD/m3). The Regional Directorate of State Forest (RDSF) of Krosno is located in the south-eastern part of Poland and manages a forest area of approximately 400,000 hectares. Annual timber harvesting amounts to 2 million m3, of which less than 2000 m3 annually is allocated to the submissions. The data cover a 20-year continuous time series and allow tracing changes in the wood volume offered to the market, the species population structure, and price trends for individual species. The data are being discussed against the background of the economic situation and in relation to the average prices obtained from other methods of sale. Beech was the most sold, but the demands for oak and sycamore appeared to be particularly high during the period of observation. The unity prices can be very variable even for wood from the same species, especially for sycamore. The prices are generally demand-driven and show strong influences from furniture industries and fashion. A rising demand for high quality timber and logs of big dimensions has been noticed. The submission system results in substantial economic benefits for the forest management and the region as a whole.