Price guide
Forest prices in 2026: what a hectare of forest costs in Lithuania
Indicative forest prices by age and species, the factors that drive the price and a worked example. The exact price is set only after assessing the specific plot.
Short answer. In 2026 a hectare of forest in Lithuania costs from roughly 1,500 € for a young or recently harvested plot to 15,000–25,000 € and more for a mature pine or spruce stand with good access. The price is driven by timber volume and species, not by area, so two plots of the same size can differ fivefold.
When do you get a concrete price? Only after we receive the cadastral number and inspect the forest. The cadastral number lets us review the key information about the plot, and the site visit shows the condition of the stand, the access and other factors the registers do not record. That is why we never quote “by eye” over the phone; instead we give a clear, substantiated offer based on real data.
Indicative forest prices by type
| Forest type | Indicative price, €/ha |
|---|---|
| Clear-cut or young stand up to 20 years | 1,000 – 3,500 |
| Middle-aged hardwood (birch, black alder, aspen), 20–40 years | 2,500 – 6,000 |
| Middle-aged conifer (pine, spruce), 30–50 years | 4,000 – 9,000 |
| Maturing conifer, 50–70 years | 7,000 – 14,000 |
| Mature pine or spruce, 70 years and older | 12,000 – 25,000+ |
| Mature birch or black alder | 6,000 – 12,000 |
What drives the price of a forest
Timber volume. The most important indicator. A mature pine stand can hold 250–400 m³ of merchantable timber per hectare; a young stand holds almost none. That is why we always ask about age and density, not just area.
Species mix. Pine and spruce sawlogs fetch the highest prices. Birch and black alder are mid-range; aspen, grey alder and willow the lowest, often sold as pulpwood or firewood.
Assortment structure. The same volume can yield mostly sawlogs or mostly firewood. Straight, thicker trees without rot produce the more valuable assortments.
Access and conditions. Harvesting and haulage can eat up a third of the timber value. Boggy ground, no roads or 15 km to tarmac lower the price; a good road raises it.
Restrictions. Group II and III forests, protected areas, Natura 2000 habitats and water protection strips limit felling. The price of such forest is closer to the land value.
Market conditions. Timber prices fluctuate with exports, construction and energy demand. That is why an offer is usually valid for about 30 days.
A worked example
Say you own 4 ha of mature pine forest in Radviliškis district with gravel road access. Inventory data show about 300 m³/ha, so 1,200 m³ in total. After assessing the assortments, about 55 % is sawlogs, 30 % pulpwood and 15 % firewood.
- The merchantable timber value is calculated at current roadside assortment prices
- Felling, forwarding, haulage and site clean-up costs are deducted
- The value of the land and regenerating forest is added
- Risk is priced in: permit timing, weather, market swings
The result in this example would be an offer of several tens of thousands of euros for the whole plot. The example is illustrative: we only quote a real figure after assessing the specific forest.
Why different buyers offer different prices
Buyers differ in costs and plans. A company with its own machinery and timber customers nearby can offer more than an intermediary who will resell the forest. Some buyers value only the timber, others plan to grow the forest and pay for the land. So it pays to get several offers and compare not only the sum but also the payment terms.
How to get the best price for your forest
- Have inventory data, or at least an approximate age and species: clarity raises offers
- Sell a mature forest rather than waiting another 10 years: over-mature stands lose quality
- Get 2–3 written offers and compare the terms
- Do not sell standing timber without assessing the assortments
- Choose a buyer who pays at the notary on signing day
How much is a hectare of young forest?
A young stand up to 20 years usually costs 1,000–3,500 € per hectare, depending on species, density and location. In such forest you are mostly paying for the land and future potential.
How much is a mature pine forest?
A mature pine stand aged 70 or more with good access is valued at roughly 12,000–25,000 € per hectare in 2026. Exceptionally productive stands can fetch more.
Are forest prices rising?
The long-term trend in Lithuania is upward, but in the short term prices fluctuate with the timber market. Holding a mature forest longer than necessary rarely pays off.
Find out what your forest is worth
Send the cadastral number and within one working day you will receive a concrete offer, not a price range.