In the first quarter of 2019, the prices for packaging timber dropped significantly in Germany. This is shown by the HPE index of the Federal Association of Wood Packaging, Pallets, Export Packaging eV (HPE). The index values for wood-based materials fell much more sharply than those for solid wood.
Solid wood for pallets, at 170 points, is 3.2% lower than in the 4th quarter of 2018 and 2.4% lower than in the same quarter last year. The index for solid wood for wooden packaging stands at 150.9 points and has fallen 2.1% compared to the 4th quarter of 2018. Compared to the first quarter of 2018, the index has risen by 1.1%.
The strongest absolute decrease was registered by the index for plywood for packaging with almost 10 points, which dropped down to 129.6 points. This corresponds to a decrease of 7.1% compared to the 4th quarter of 2018. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, the index fell by 0.9%. For OSB packaging, it was 7.2% down on the previous quarter to 91.6 points. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, however, the index has risen by 3.4%.
| 100 = Qu.1/2005 | Index Qu.1 2019 | Difference Qu.4 2018 | Difference Qu.1 2018 |
| Solid wood for pallets | 170,0 | -3,20% | -2,40% |
| Solid wood for wooden packaging | 150,9 | -2,10% | 1,10% |
| Plywood for packaging | 129,6 | -7,10% | -0,90% |
| OSB for packaging | 91,6 | -7,20% | 3,40% |