Prices for wood pellets in Switzerland in 2015 have been marked by instability. The main reason of these price changes was fluctuation of the Swiss franc against the euro.
In February, wood pellet prices increased significantly in connection with the strength of national currency. During this period, price for pellets was estimated at 409.2 CHF per tonne (391.32 in euro terms). For instance, this figure equated 344.40 euro in January, which means that price has been up by 14 per cent.
In comparison with February 2014, pellet price has also increased by 14 per cent. Nevertheless, in Swiss franc terms, the price for this kind of fuel has decreased by 2.5 per cent if compared to the same period of previous year.
During three consecutive months, there was the fall of wood pellet prices, if expressed in CHF. First of all, this fall was conditioned by the end of heating season and, as a result, by the decline in demand. Therefore, in April the average price for ENplus A1 quality wood pellets reached 393.7 CHF per tonne. Beyond that, pellet price has increased by 0.8 per cent in connection with the further strength of national currency.
In addition, in February wood pellet prices varied according to the amount of delivery. For instance, the price per tonne stood at 380.63 CHF on condition that 8 tonnes of wood pellets were delivered. At the same time, the price for 3 tonnes was 408.60 CHF per tonne.
In June, wood pellet price in Switzerland remained the same in comparison with May 2015. The average price for pellets stood at 372.30 CHF per tonne (355.40 in euro terms). This price has decreased by 5.8 per cent if compared to the same period of previous year. Depending on the amount of delivery, wood pellets prices varied from 360.43 to 385.26 CHF per tonne during this month.
After the periods of fall and stabilization, the rise of wood pellet prices in Switzerland was registered in September 2015. The average price for ENplus A1 quality pellets reached 375.10 CHF per tonne (342.60 in euro terms). This price has increased by 0.4% in comparison with August. However, in September 2014 wood pellet price in CHF terms was 7 per cent higher. At the same time, in 2015 this price in euro terms increased by 2.6 per cent if compared with the same period of previous year.
In November 2015, the retail price for ENplus A1 quality wood pellets went on rising. Nowadays, the average price for pellets stands at 379.8 CHF per tonne (351.92 in euro terms). Consequently, this figure has been up by 0.2 per cent in comparison with October. However, wood pellet price in CHF terms was 7 per cent higher in November 2014. Nevertheless, the price for pellets in euro terms has increased by 3.6 per cent if compared to the same period of previous year, when this figure equated 339.37 euro.
Depending on the volume of delivery, wood pellet prices are varying from 368.33 CHF per tonne for 8 tonnes to 392.67 CHF per tonne for 3 tonnes (341.29 and 363.84 euro respectively). The price per tonne equates 378.30 CHF (350.53 in euro terms) on condition that 5 tonnes of wood pellets are purchased.
In summary, prices for wood pellets in Switzerland in 2015 have been marked by slight instability. During the heating season, pellet prices increased. However, during spring and summer the fall of prices was registered in connection with the decrease of demand for pellets.
What is more, pellet prices depended on Swiss franc exchange rate. In the context of national currency strength the prices for wood pellets in CHF terms were increasing, while prices in euro terms were falling. Though Swiss franc is one of the world most stable currencies, the drop in its exchange rate was marked in November 2015. Moreover, the further fall is expected. It gives an opportunity to state that the prices for pellets in euro terms are to increase in the nearest future. In addition, in the context of heating season, the demand for pellets is rising, which leads to the rise of prices in CHF terms. Therefore, in December wood pellets prices are to increase in both CHF and euro terms.
