In recent years, the wood market has faced a series of challenges related to factors ranging from limited availability of raw materials to climate change. With the beginning of 2025, wood prices are expected to increase by 30% in the first six months of the year. This surge in costs will have a significant impact on Italian manufacturers, who depend heavily on this material for their production.
The sectors most affected by these increases will be pallets and industrial packaging. These two sectors are, in fact, strongly linked to the wood market both for the raw material they use and for the continuous need to provide economic and sustainable solutions to their customers. The increase in costs could lead to a reduction in profit margins and a consequent reallocation of company resources.
One of the main factors contributing to the increase in wood prices is the shortage of logs and sawn timber. This situation has been caused by several factors, including the reduction of cultivation areas, logistical difficulties related to the pandemic, and extreme weather events. The scarcity of raw materials has led to increases in international price lists, reflecting a demand that far exceeds available supply.
In addition to supply issues, there is growing competition between different sectors for access to available wood. Packaging and pallets must compete for resources with sectors such as construction and furniture, which require large quantities of wood to support their production processes. This has led to a tense situation regarding prices and availability, undermining the long-term planning capacity of the companies involved.
The association Conlegno, which represents over 2,000 companies in the sector, has sounded the alarm on the risks associated with the shortage of wood and has chosen to address the issue with concrete actions. A regional meeting has been scheduled for March 28 in Carlentini, Sicily, to discuss the future availability of wood and propose solutions to improve the management of available resources.
The case of Trentino is a clear example of the negative impacts that can result from extreme weather events. Storm Vaia wiped out vast areas of forest, reducing local production capacity and accentuating the problem of wood shortage. The expansion of such phenomena further jeopardizes the equilibrium of the Italian wood industry and requires targeted interventions to mitigate the damage and guarantee the continuation of production activities.
Increasing wood prices and raw material scarcity represent one of the many challenges that Italian industries will face in the coming years. It will be essential for producers to adapt quickly to changes and work together to find innovative solutions that can sustain the sector in an increasingly competitive and unpredictable global context.
