Fight for wood prices: Chamber of Agriculture defends itself against wood industry!

Fight for wood prices: Chamber of Agriculture defends itself against wood industry!

In a heated debate about wood prices, Johannes Schmuckenschlager, President of the Lower Austria Chamber of Agriculture, has rejected the latest statements in the wood industry. He emphasizes that the claim that there is no harmful wood market in the Waldviertel, the tense conditions of the forest owners: do not reflect fairly inside. Hoading wood is a common consequence of extreme squads such as bark beetle infestation and wind throws, which in the years 2017 to 2021 massive economic difficulties for many forest owners: inside. While the Säge industry benefited in times of low wood prices, agricultural and forestry family businesses were confronted with considerable challenges. This work is also extremely dangerous and requires highly qualified specialists.

challenges from inflation and harvest capacities

The situation is further exacerbated by increasing inflation rates and the costs for wages and machines, which drives the wooden harvest costs. Schmuckenschlager points out that fair wood prices are essential for sustainable forestry: "It is incomprehensible that the Säge industry classifies the current wood prices as too high." In view of the predicted amount of unused malewood, the future of forestry in Austria and Germany remains uncertain. According to the Holzkurier a large part of the Czech damper will remain in the forest due to inadequate harvesting, which could further burden the market situation.

The Chamber of Agriculture in Lower Austria renews its demand for a fair consideration of the economic situation of forest owners: inside by the wood industry. Only through close cooperations can wood be strengthened as an essential raw material in a climate -friendly economy, says Schmuckenschlager. Another step to promote forest management is the introduction of the forest fund, which has supported numerous reforestation and biodiversity projects since 2021 and in which the Agriculture Ministry and the Lower Austrian State Forest Directorate are also involved. The Dewaldungsverorden will also come into force from January 1, 2026, which requires a coordinated solution for everyone involved to ensure the sustainable use of the forests.