Pulpwood Stumpage Trends in Q3, 2024: South Carolina statewide average pine pulpwood prices were $8.66/ton, and the hardwood pulpwood prices were $10.18/ton in the 3rd quarter of 2024. Compared to the pine and hardwood pulpwood prices in the previous quarter (Q2 of 2024), it is an increase of 14% and 2%, respectively.
Pine pulpwood prices increased over 10% this quarter, while hardwood prices have been trending upward since Q4 of 2023. Hardwood pulpwood is getting higher prices than pine trees in SC, unlike our neighboring states, GA and NC. Please see the figure above for pulpwood price trends in SC over the last four quarters.
Sawtimber Stumpage Trends in Q3, 2024: The statewide sawtimber prices for pine and mixed hardwood had a different trajectory this quarter. The stumpage prices for pine sawtimber declined about 5%, while hardwood prices increased by about 19% in Q3 of 2024. The current price of pine sawtimber is lower than the rates observed in the Q4 of 2023 – prices were up for the Q1 and Q2 of 2024 but have declined sharply this quarter.
Unlike pine sawtimber, the hardwood prices were lowest in the last quarter (Q2 of 2024) but have sharply rebounded this quarter to an all-time high for this year so far. The current stumpage prices of hardwood are higher than the stumpage rates for pine trees in SC – these price curves switched places this quarter. Please see the figure above for sawtimber price trends in SC over the last four quarters.
The statewide sawtimber prices for pine and mixed hardwood had a different trajectory this quarter. The stumpage prices for pine sawtimber declined about 5% while hardwood prices increased about 19% in the Q3 of 2024. The current price of pine sawtimber is lower than the rates observed in the Q4 of 2023 – prices were up for the Q1 and Q2 of 2024 but have declined sharply this quarter. Unlike pine sawtimber, the hardwood prices were lowest in the last quarter (Q2 of 2024) but have sharply rebounded this quarter to an all-time high for this year so far. The current stumpage prices of hardwood are higher than the stumpage rates for pine trees in SC – these price curves switched places this quarter. See figure above for sawtimber price trends in SC over the last four quarters.
Data credit: The sawtimber and pulpwood price data included in this newsletter are published with permission from TimberMart-South Athens, GA 30605 email tmart@timbermart-south.com.
WOOD MARKET IS LOCAL. Stumpage prices for both sawtimber and pulpwood in your local markets could vary significantly as compared to the above statewide averages depending on: size and species composition, quality of timber, total acres and volume, logging operability, distance from nearby mills, and overall market condition.
Author(s)
Puskar Khanal, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Specialist
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