Plywood Price Watch – the first Russian specialized index for plywood prices

Dear clients and partners,

At the Lesdrevmash-2016 conference held in Moscow last October, several Russian plywood producers have approached us with an idea of developing a plywood price index which would allow to track timely the actual changes in market prices for plywood and therefore possess more information to take sound managerial decisions. In December 2016, we have developed a pilot version of the report. It will be centred around the plywood price index for various product specifications (several market leaders have already approved that they would give information for the index) at the Russian and several export markets:

• FK (birch) 1525×1525 (10 and 18 mm);
• FSF (birch) 1220х2440 mm;
• laminated birch plywood 1220х2440/1250х2500 mm (18 and 21 mm);
• FSF (softwood) 1220х2440 mm.

Plywood industry is the most profitable among other timber businesses in Russia. Against strong euro, Russian birch plywood has become even more competitive and is pressing the European producers for the last two years. Several key players in Russia and Europe announced their upgrade plans or new mill projects: the Russians are trying to produce more of this highly-profitable export product, while the Europeans are hoping to stand against this pressure.

This market has no new large players. All companies in the segment know each other, and the situation depends on the long-standing leader. Along with that, almost 90% of plywood volumes are traded through intermediaries, often small companies, and this forms grey, speculative market. Such a situation does not allow to track the market situation timely. A price report would fill this gap.

We invite you to join the plywood market leaders and take part in the development of plywood report. Participants of the index will have the opportunity to subscribe for the Plywood Price Watch with a significant discount. If you are interested, please contact our Chief Editor Kirill Baranov (+7 905 704 5133, kb@whatwood.ru).