Federal forests with the best year in history

The operating output of the Austrian Federal Forests, which manage ten percent of the federal area, increased 2022 by 28.3 percent to 323 million euros. Earnings before taxes (EBT) doubled from EUR 27.1 million in 2021 to EUR 55.2 million. “A year ago I would have bet against it that it could be the best year in the company’s history,” said Schöppl, since the overall economic uncertainty was very high. He would have lost the bet. “We are particularly pleased that we have managed to reverse the trend in our core business of wood.” Means: From a loss back into the profit zone with the sale of wood.

1.9 million solid cubic meters of wood were harvested in 2022, which is 250,000 m³ more than the so-called “timber harvest target” due to greater thinning due to “care measures”. As in previous years, significantly more wood was removed than this target. Nevertheless, there is no need to worry about the forest stock, more grows back than is harvested, “we are still building up stocks,” says Schöppl, who presented the balance sheet for the first time this year together with his new colleague on the board, Andreas Gruber. The annual average price of wood was 87.90 euros – around 20 euros more than in 2021. Despite increased costs, there was more left in the forestry sector than in previous years, when the bottom line was in the red: 18.4 million Euro operating success in the forest.

In the past, sales of ÖBF areas such as in Ohlsdorf (of the 18 hectares in the district of Ehrenfeld that were cleared, a third belonged to the ÖBF before it was sold to the entrepreneur Asamer) caused turmoil and displeasure among the population and environmentalists. For this year, Schöppl promises in terms of well-known sales: “We have nothing planned for 2023.”

38 million euros flowed to the state

A dividend of 10 million euros was paid to the state for the previous year, plus a so-called usufruct fee of 16.7 million euros. Income taxes in the amount of 11.5 million euros were paid to the Treasury.

The damage caused by climate change was estimated at 28 million euros. 12 million euros were invested in forest care for healthy and stable forests, 5 million euros went into combating bark beetles.

Real estate is the stable “cash cow” of Bundesforste. The operating performance in the real estate sector rose to a good 57 million euros and a profit contribution of 25 million euros. In the case of renewable energy, there was a significant increase in operating performance to 24.6 million euros (profit contribution: 11 million euros).

Wood price outlook

For this year, the wood harvest is de facto sold out at a good price, so a “good result” is expected in this year’s forest year, even if the ÖBF board expects the price of wood to fall. “Storm clouds are already gathering,” says Gruber.