New Zealand
log prices
radiata pine
Indicative radiata pine log prices from the Ministry for Primary Industries — export grades in NZ$ per JAS m³ (FOB) and domestic grades in NZ$ per tonne (delivered), the quarterly trend, and standing forest volume by wood supply region. These are indicative survey averages, not individual sales.
Export Pruned radiata, NZ$/JAS m³
Indicative weighted-average export price for Pruned radiata pine (FOB), March quarter each year since 2018. Weighted averages have been used by MPI since June 2017. Source: MPI.
Radiata pine log prices by grade
Export · NZ$ per JAS m³, FOB · March 2026 quarter
Domestic · NZ$ per tonne, delivered at mill · March 2026 quarter
Export (JAS m³, FOB) and domestic (tonne, delivered) prices use different units and cannot be compared directly or converted without documented density and grade factors.
Standing volume by island
Standing plantation volume (000 m³) by island, as at 1 April 2025. Note: the map shows physical volume, not price — MPI publishes a single national indicative price, not a regional one. Source: MPI, National Exotic Forest Description 2025.
Standing volume by region
Standing plantation volume (000 m³) by MPI wood supply region, largest first. Click a region for its forest profile and industry context. Source: MPI NEFD 2025.
What are log prices in New Zealand?
There is no single "timber price" in New Zealand. The benchmark is the indicative radiata pine log price published quarterly by the Ministry for Primary Industries. Export logs are quoted in NZ$ per JAS m³, FOB — for the March 2026 quarter, Pruned was about NZ$201, A grade NZ$142 and K grade NZ$132.
Domestic logs delivered to a mill are quoted in NZ$ per tonne: P1 around NZ$206 and structural S2 around NZ$129. These are indicative survey averages reported by large suppliers, adjusted to generic specifications — they are historical and indicative only and may not match the price paid on any individual sale.
Radiata pine makes up about 90% of the planted estate, which harvested roughly 32.2 million m³ in the year to March 2025; forestry exports were about NZ$6.3 billion in calendar 2025 (MPI). The map shows where that wood grows: the Central North Island is by far the largest wood supply region.
About New Zealand log prices
What are radiata pine log prices in New Zealand?
For the March 2026 quarter, MPI's indicative export price for Pruned radiata was about NZ$201/JAS m³ (FOB), A grade NZ$142 and K grade NZ$132. Domestic delivered prices were around NZ$206/tonne (P1) and NZ$129/tonne (S2).
Why are export and domestic prices in different units?
Export logs are sold by volume in JAS m³ (Japanese Agricultural Standard) free-on-board at the wharf; domestic logs are sold by weight in tonnes delivered to the mill. The two units are not interchangeable and should not be converted without documented density, moisture and grade assumptions.
Are there log prices by region or city?
No. MPI publishes one national indicative price for radiata pine, not a regular price for Auckland, Rotorua, Gisborne or any other place. What is published by region is physical planted area and standing volume, shown on the map and the region pages.
Are these actual sale prices?
No. They are indicative survey averages reported by large forestry suppliers and fitted to generic grade specifications. MPI describes them as historical and indicative only; they may not correspond to the price paid in any particular transaction.
How often are they updated?
Quarterly (March, June, September and December quarters). The full series goes back to 1992, with weighted averages used from June 2017.
Where do the numbers come from?
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) indicative radiata pine log price series and the National Exotic Forest Description 2025. MPI data is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Every figure links to its source.