Stumpage prices remained on the high level achieved one year ago in September, although a slight month-on-month decrease was recorded.The stumpage price of pine sawlogs was around 55 Euros per cubic meter in September, while spruce sawlogs fetched 56 Euros and birch sawlogs 42 Euros per cubic meter. The average price of pine and birch pulpwood was 16 Euros per cubic meter, and the average price of spruce pulpwood was 19 Euros per cubic meter.The Finnish forest industry purchased 2.9 million cubic meters of wood from private forest owners in September. The aggregate purchase volume for the year now stands at 17.8 million cubic meters, with pulpwood procurements accounting for 9.9 million cubic meters and sawlog procurements for 7.2 million.Autumn is traditionally an active time for the timber market. Existing high stumpage prices create a good environment for lively timber sales also in the later part of the year, and demand for all timber grades remains stable, according to the Finnish Forest Industries Federation. /KB