European Forestry Pulse #10 🌲

Hello,

Welcome to our 10th issue! When we launched 5 weeks ago, we hoped to reach 50 readers by now. Today, you're one of 89 forest professionals getting intelligence that matters. Thank you for making ForestryBrief part of your week.

This milestone issue brings critical news: Europe's largest private forest owner just shook the certification world, and carbon prices are heading somewhere nobody expected.

Here's what's moving European forestry this week:

Swedish forest giant SCA postponed its threatened FSC certification suspension after eleventh-hour negotiations with the National Sámi Association and FSC International. The company, managing Europe's largest private forest holding of 2.6 million hectares, had announced plans to exit FSC on June 1, citing "implementation challenges" and "unreasonable requirements."

The postponement came after intense pressure from downstream customers threatening to switch suppliers. SCA's certified wood supplies dozens of European sawmills and paper producers who require FSC chain-of-custody compliance. The standoff reveals deeper tensions: certification costs have increased 40% since 2020 while timber prices remain volatile, squeezing margins for large forest owners.

Behind closed doors, other major Nordic forest companies are watching closely. If SCA ultimately exits, it could trigger a domino effect, with sources suggesting at least three other major Scandinavian forest owners are reconsidering their FSC commitments for 2026.

What this means for you: FSC's credibility crisis is real—prepare for potential supply chain disruptions if major suppliers exit. Consider dual certification strategies (FSC + PEFC) to maintain flexibility. The power balance is shifting from certifiers to forest owners. Source: SCA - Postpones FSC certification pause

BloombergNEF forecasts EU ETS II carbon prices will reach €149 per metric ton by 2030, nearly double current levels. The new analysis factors in reduced allowances and expanding coverage to buildings and transport, creating unprecedented demand pressure.

The takeaway: Forest carbon credits suddenly look cheap at €20-70—lock in long-term agreements before arbitrage opportunities close. Source: BloombergNEF - EU ETS II Market Outlook

Finland's energy wood purchases plummeted to 1.2 million m³ in Q2 2025, a shocking 50% year-over-year decline. The collapse follows expired renewable subsidies and cheaper alternatives flooding the market.

The takeaway: Massive oversupply hitting markets—energy wood producers must pivot to higher-value products or face bankruptcy. Source: Fordaq Daily - Finnish energy wood trade volume drops

PEFC's new RED certification program helps forest biomass suppliers access EU renewable energy markets. The streamlined system builds on existing chain-of-custody certification, adding specific sustainability and GHG emission criteria required for the EU's 42.5% renewable target by 2030.

The takeaway: First movers in biomass certification capture premium contracts—get certified before the 2026 rush. Source: PEFC - RED certification for EU Renewable Energy Directive

Despite monthly volatility, the World Bank Timber Price Index reached 83.72 in July 2025, showing 5.51% annual growth. The underlying strength contradicts spot market weakness, suggesting structural supply constraints persist globally.

The takeaway: Don't panic over short-term price dips—fundamental supply shortage supports medium-term price recovery. Source: YCharts - World Bank Timber Index

Survey Update: Your responses are shaping our future!

Results from our reader survey show overwhelming demand for deeper EUDR analysis and practical compliance tools. Written content remains king—you want detailed intelligence, not soundbites.

Based on your feedback, we're launching expanded coverage at the end of August. Details coming shortly.

Calculate your "certification dependency ratio": What percentage of your revenue requires FSC/PEFC? With SCA's standoff signaling potential supply disruptions, operations with >50% certification dependency need contingency plans. Start identifying non-certified alternatives or secure long-term certified supply agreements now.

What we've learned together:

A Personal Note

Five weeks ago, ForestryBrief was just an idea. Today, with 89 subscribers and 481 LinkedIn followers, it is becoming the intelligence source European forestry needs. Your engagement—every reply, every share, every piece of feedback—shapes what we're building.

Big changes are coming. Based on your input, we're expanding our coverage at the end of August. The upcoming issues will reveal everything.

Until then, thank you for trusting ForestryBrief with your Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Until Tuesday, Péter

P.S. When I started ForestryBrief a few weeks ago, I thought this would be a lonely journey - just me, my laptop, and hundreds of sources to monitor. But something beautiful happened instead.

I found incredible people like Axel from Boreal Tech Brief, who's become not just a cross-promotion partner but a genuine friend. We've had video calls, constant chats, and share the same vision: making forestry intelligence accessible and actionable.

If you're interested in the intersection of AI, technology, and Nordic forestry, do yourself a favor and subscribe to Boreal Tech Brief. Axel curates the top 5 forest-tech developments every two weeks - it's the perfect complement to ForestryBrief's market and regulatory focus.

→ Subscribe to Boreal Tech Brief here

This community we're building together - from Finland to Mozambique, from forest owners to tech innovators - is what makes this journey extraordinary. Thank you for being a part of it.

P. P. S. Know a forest professional who’s drowning in EUDR complexity or missing out on timber market shifts? Forward this issue or invite them to join!

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