How the
numbers work
How to read MPI's indicative radiata pine log prices: units, grades, basis and the licence. Understanding these avoids comparing prices that are not comparable.
Indicative, not transactional
MPI surveys large forestry suppliers and adjusts their real grades to generic specifications. The result is an indicative quarterly average, published as a range and a weighted mean. It is historical and indicative only and may not match the price paid on any individual sale.
JAS m³ vs tonne
Export prices use JAS m³ (a Japanese Agricultural Standard volume measure) and are quoted FOB, free on board at the wharf. Domestic prices use tonnes and are quoted delivered to the mill. The two units are not interchangeable; converting tonnes to m³ needs documented density, moisture and grade factors.
Grades
Pruned logs are knot-free clearwood butt logs (premium). Unpruned A / K (export) and S1–S3, L1–L3 (domestic) are structural and utility grades by size and quality. Pulp is the lowest grade. Export grades and domestic grades are separate scales.
Weighted averages since 2017
From June 2017 MPI has used weighted averages; take care comparing with quarters before that. The full quarterly series runs back to 1992.
Licence
This work is based on / includes data from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), licensed by MPI for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. See MPI wood product markets data and the National Exotic Forest Description 2025.