Price Elasticity Of The Timber Of Selected Non-Native Tree Species In Poland

The non-native tree species have been present in Polish forests to the larger extent as long as last 200 years. Although they do not play very important role in timber production, the observed climate change may cause the increase of their presence. The aim of the study was to determine and analyse the price elasticity of demand for black locust, Douglas fir and northern red oak wood sold in Poland by the State Forests National Forest Holding in years 2014-2018. Required data about prices and sales volume of large- and medium-sized timber of the investigated species was obtained from the data-base of the Information System of the State Forests for individual regional directorates of the State Forests. Based on these the price elasticity for each assortment for given year and regional directorate was calculated. The price elasticity of demand for mediumand large-size assortments of non-native species timber was characterized by very large differences in the obtained values. This was due to the fact that the quantities of timber assortments obtained and sold did not result directly from the market demand, but from the institutional provisions that are in force in Polish forests. The analysis of the forest and timber market indicated the lack of market regulations in this respect.