Hello,
Sweden just got hit hard.
Storm Johannes tore through central Sweden in December 2025. The damage estimate: 10 million cubic meters of timber. That makes it the fourth worst storm since records began in the 1930s.
The hardest hit areas are Dalarna and Gävleborg counties. Both supply major sawmills. Both face months of cleanup work.
Meanwhile, Norway celebrated a record timber harvest. But prices are already falling. Greece is changing how it fights wildfires. Hungary faces questions about EU funds. And German hardwood shows surprising strength.
Here's what's moving European forestry this week:
🔍 The Big Story
Storm Johannes Causes 10 Million m³ Damage in Sweden
Storm Johannes swept across Sweden, Norway, and Finland in December. Sweden took the worst hit. The Swedish Forest Agency estimates 10 million cubic meters of forest fell.
The scale: This is Sweden's worst storm damage since Per in 2007. Only three storms have been worse since the 1930s:
Storm Gudrun (2005): 75 million m³
Storms of 2013: 14 million m³
Storm Per (2007): 12 million m³
Where it hit: Dalarna and Gävleborg counties suffered the most damage. Significant damage also occurred along the coast. Affected areas stretch from Uppland to Norrbotten. Parts of Västernorrland and Jämtland also saw damage.
The challenge: Weather conditions make assessment difficult. Magnus Martinsson, forest coordinator at the Swedish Forest Agency, says estimates may change. "It will clear up, but it will take time. Right now, the weather is very difficult in these areas."
What happens next: Forest owners must prioritize salvage operations. Storm-damaged timber degrades fast. Bark beetle risk rises in warm months. Quick extraction prevents further losses.
Market impact: Sweden's annual harvest is about 87 million cubic meters. Adding 10 million m³ of damaged wood creates a supply surge. Prices could face downward pressure. Sawmills may struggle to process the sudden volume.
For timber traders: Watch Swedish log prices in coming weeks. Damaged timber often sells at a discount. Quality varies widely in salvage operations. Due diligence matters more than usual.
The bigger picture: Sweden already cut harvesting in 2024. Gross felling fell to 87.1 million m³. That's the lowest since 2013. Storm Johannes adds unplanned volume to a weak market. Sources: Swedish Forest Agency Press Release | Timber-Online | Sweden Herald
📊 Quick Hits
1. 🇳🇴 Norway Sets Timber Harvest Record — But Prices Now Falling
Norway harvested a record 11.97 million cubic meters in 2024. Gross value exceeded 8 billion NOK (€688 million). That's 33% higher than the previous year.
The price story: Average wood prices rose from NOK 602/m³ (€51) in January to NOK 762/m³ (€65) in December. International supply shortages drove the gains. Russia's log export ban helped.
The reversal: January 2026 reports say prices are "on the way down." The peak appears to be behind us.
The takeaway: Norway proves high prices drove record harvesting. But market sentiment has shifted. Plan for price softening in Nordic markets.
Sources: Timber-Online | Global Wood Markets Info
2. 🇬🇷 Greece Introduces Controlled Burns for Wildfire Prevention
Greece announced new wildfire prevention legislation on January 8. The "Active Battle" bill introduces controlled burns and controlled grazing. Both are firsts for Greece.
The plan: Climate Crisis Minister Yannis Kefalogiannis aims to have the law in place for the 2026 fire season. Public consultation starts soon. The minister targets a parliament vote by early March.
What's included: The bill creates 13 new regional Operational Incident Centers. It also upgrades the Fire Department Academy.
Why now: Greece suffered devastating fires in 2025. Athens faced evacuations in July. Traditional suppression-only approaches aren't working.
The takeaway: Southern European countries are adopting proactive fire management. Forest owners in fire-prone regions should watch for similar policy shifts. Sources: Keep Talking Greece | Greek City Times
3. 🇭🇺 OLAF Reveals EU Fund Misuse in Hungary — Forest Clear-Cut Around Canopy Trail
The European Anti-Fraud Office published findings on January 8. An investigation found misuse of EU rural development funds in Hungary. The most striking example: a forest was clear-cut around a canopy trail.
What happened: Projects received EU funding to build tourism facilities. The facilities required public access and forest surroundings. Instead, trees around the canopy trail were cut down. The trail lost its purpose.
The investigation: OLAF opened the case in March 2023. It closed in December 2025. Findings include manipulated procurement and inflated prices.
Structural problems: OLAF found authorities failed to set clear sustainability criteria. Similar projects were allowed too close together. This reduced overall impact.
The takeaway: EU fund oversight is tightening. Projects claiming sustainability must deliver it. Documentation and compliance matter more than ever. Source: OLAF Press Release
4. 🇩🇪 German Hardwood Production Grows 8% in Q3 2025
German hardwood lumber production rose 8% year-on-year in Q3 2025. The growth also shows in year-to-date figures.
The context: Softwood markets remain challenged across Europe. High log prices meet weak construction demand. Hardwood tells a different story.
What's driving it: Species diversification may be helping. Some forest owners shift toward hardwood as climate adaptation. Demand for hardwood products remains steady.
The takeaway: Don't assume all timber markets move together. Hardwood shows resilience while softwood struggles. Consider species mix in your planning. Source: Timber-Online
📅 The Weeks Ahead
January 21-23, 2026: Central European Biomass Conference (CEBC), Graz, Austria — includes session on forests as carbon sinks
January 24, 2026: PEFC field mission to Indonesia
January 30, 2026: UK Oxford-Cambridge National Forest Expression of Interest deadline
Q1 2026: EU Carbon Removals Certification Framework applications open
April 30, 2026: EUDR simplification review deadline
December 30, 2026: EUDR deadline for large and medium operators
💡 One Thing to Try This Week
Check your storm damage protocols. Sweden's 10 million m³ loss reminds us: nature doesn't follow schedules.
Fifteen minutes of preparation:
Review your salvage harvest plan
Identify contractors available for emergency work
Check your insurance coverage for storm damage
Note bark beetle spray deadlines for your region
List buyers who accept salvage timber
Storm Johannes shows how fast markets can shift. 10 million m³ of damaged wood creates opportunities and risks. Prepared operators move faster than surprised ones.
If you're in Sweden or trade Swedish timber, act now. Storm-damaged wood degrades quickly. Early movers get better prices.
Until Thursday!
Wish you all the best: Peter
P.S. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in forestry right now?
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