Selling Native Timber

Selling Native Timber from Remnant (Coloured) and Non –remnant (White) ‘Freehold’ Country

Selling forest products from native forests or plantations is just like selling any primary produce. 
You’ll get the best market price if you:

  • know the specifications of the range of forest products you are producing
  • understand how to produce quality forest products
  • have a good up-to-date forest product markets’ knowledge
  • choose the best method of sale that suits your needs; and
  • have fair and equitable timber sale contract in place

In many parts of Queensland there are a number of buyers that are interested in the range of forest products you have to sell.  Unlike selling livestock or other agricultural crops though, the different buyers are not so well known growers, and may take some effort to find.

In some areas of Queensland the range of market options is less than others.  If this is the case consider value adding yourself or by using a contractor, and selling direct further along the production chain.

There is healthy competition in a number of regions of Queensland from processors wanting to buy forest products.  The days of only selling to your local sawmill are over, as many processors will transport logs and other forest products some distance.  It may turn out that your local sawmill will provide you with the best price and sale conditions, however, it’s worth getting a number of quotes from a range of different buyers, including different buyers for different products.  Some producers today even put their timber sale up for tender with good results.

AgForests has produced a Products & Marketing Guide for Eucalypt (Hardwood) Forests & Woodlands for producers that explains in detail:

  • The options landowners have for selling their timber
  • Price - stumpage, farm gate, ramp and mill gate price
  • Knowing your timber markets
  • Product merchandising
  • Timber product range, specifications and descriptions

For 'Cypress' refer to the AgForests Management Guide – White Cypress Native Forests & Woodlands

For 'Outback' timber areas of Queensland two recent reports that provide valuable information are:

Choosing the best method of forest products sale that suits your needs is extremely important – don’t necessarily just except the terms and conditions that are presented to you if you are not comfortable with them.  Like all business deals you will need to negotiate with the purchaser and reach a fair price for the range of forest products you are selling, plus make sure you have fair and equitable sale conditions are in place.

Most reputable sawmillers and other timber purchasers who are there for the long haul will present you with and be happy to negotiate a fair and equitable price and sale conditions.  The AgForests Products & Marketing Guide for Eucalypt (Hardwood) Forests & Woodlands details a number of different sale options available to landholders.

AgForests has also produced two timber products ‘sample’ sale contract guides that have been developed in conjunction with key Timber Queensland sawmillers and AgForce landholders to provide a starting platform for both parties to negotiate a fair and equitable sale contract.  One ‘sample' sale contract guide has been designed for Lump Sum Timber Sales and the other for Non Lump Sum Timber Sales.  The different sale contracts will depend on whether you are conducting a forestry business, and they have different tax implications.  Landholders are advised to seek professional advice to properly determine your circumstances.