Hello,

While forest managers still recover from the digital version of their paperwork multiplying faster than bark beetles, Brussels just handed us something unexpected: time to actually prepare properly. But the real story isn't the EUDR delay—it's what the smartest operators are doing with this gift.

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

🔍 The Big Story

Natural Capital Accounting: 18 Giants Map Your Forest's Hidden €1M Value

Europe's largest forestry companies are quietly revolutionizing how we value forests. The International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC) has assembled 18 major players managing 24 million hectares—an area larger than Romania—to pilot natural capital accounting frameworks that could fundamentally change forest economics.

These companies, including household names like Stora Enso and UPM, aren't just counting timber anymore. They're quantifying carbon storage, water regulation, biodiversity hosting, and recreational value. Early results suggest the non-timber value of European forests could be 2-3 times higher than traditional wood revenue alone.

Here's the kicker: Small forest owners can piggyback on this expensive groundwork. The methodologies being developed will become industry standards, meaning your 50-hectare family forest could soon access the same valuation frameworks that cost millions to develop.

What this means for you: Start documenting your forest's ecosystem services now—water sources, rare species, carbon storage potential. When standardized valuation arrives (likely by 2026), early movers will capture premium prices from corporations desperate for verified natural capital assets. The days of forests being valued only for their standing timber are ending. Source: International Sustainable Forestry Coalition

📊 Quick Hits

1. 📋 EUDR Gets 12-Month Lifeline—But Don't Celebrate Yet

The European Commission officially confirmed a 12-month delay to EUDR implementation. Large companies have until December 30, 2025, while SMEs get until June 30, 2026. But here's what they're not advertising: enforcement will be stricter because authorities will have "no excuses" for poor compliance after the extension.

The takeaway: Use this time to build robust systems, not to procrastinate. 2025 audits are already being scheduled. Source: European Commission - EUDR Implementation Update

2. 🚁 Norwegian Giants Deploy AI Drones That Think Like Foresters

Nortømmer has partnered with BioDrone to deploy autonomous drones across their Norwegian operations, marking the first commercial deployment of AI that can identify individual trees, assess health, and predict harvest volumes without human input. The system reduces inventory time by 85% while improving accuracy to within 2% of manual measurements.

The takeaway: At €50 per hectare, AI inventory is now cheaper than traditional cruising—and 10x faster. Source: LinkedIn - BioDrone Norway Announcement

3. 💰 Timber Prices Set for "Gradual but Persistent" Rise Through 2025

Industry analysis reveals European timber prices will continue climbing due to Storm Éowyn's 26,000-hectare damage in Ireland, Swedish supply restrictions, and North American production declines. Finnish spruce already commands €87/m³, with Central European prices expected to follow by October.

The takeaway: Lock in Q4 sales contracts now—buyers are already accepting 5-7% premiums for guaranteed supply. Source: TTJ Online - UK Timber Industry Predictions 2025

4. 🏛️ Austria Sounds Alarm: "Active Management, Not More Bureaucracy"

The Austrian Forest Association launched a campaign against excessive EU regulations, arguing that active forest management enhances biodiversity more effectively than strict preservation. They cite examples where managed forests support 40% more species than unmanaged reserves.

The takeaway: The pendulum may be swinging back toward practical forestry—position yourself as a biodiversity enhancer, not despite management, but because of it. Source: Österreichischer Forstverein

💡 One Thing to Try This Week

Map your forest's water sources using free satellite data. The European Space Agency's Copernicus platform now offers 10-meter resolution water mapping. Document every stream, pond, and wetland—these will be worth gold in natural capital accounting. Takes 30 minutes, costs nothing, adds thousands to your forest's future valuation.

Until Thursday!

Wish you all the best: Peter

P.S. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in forestry right now?
Hit reply and let me know — I read every message personally.

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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