Pulpwood Stumpage Trends in Q1, 2025:
In the first quarter of 2025, South Carolina’s statewide average prices for pine and hardwood pulpwood were $6.8 per ton and $6.5 per ton, respectively. Compared to the previous quarter (Q4 of 2024), these figures represent declines of 12% for pine and 32% for hardwood pulpwood. Pine pulpwood prices fell below $7 per ton this quarter, largely driven by significant price drops in the Upstate region, which pulled down the statewide average. In contrast, the sharper decline in hardwood pulpwood prices occurred in the Lowcountry rather than the Upstate, highlighting a regional disparity in South Carolina’s timber market. Overall, pine and hardwood pulpwood prices were at their lowest this quarter compared to the previous three quarters across South Carolina.
Sawtimber Stumpage Trends in Q1, 2025:
In the first quarter of 2025, statewide pine sawtimber prices averaged $23.3 per ton, while hardwood sawtimber prices averaged $19.2 per ton. Pine sawtimber prices rose by approximately 4% compared to the previous quarter (Q4 of 2024), whereas hardwood sawtimber prices experienced a steep decline of over 20%. Such a significant drop in hardwood sawtimber prices is highly unusual. The decline appears to be largely driven by a sharp decrease in mixed hardwood prices in the Upstate region. This sudden drop may reflect a mill reporting error or data anomaly, as prices at this level have not been observed in the region in recent years.
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.
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.
Author
Puskar Khanal, Cooperative Extension, Forestry and Wildlife Specialist
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
