This year, more than 6,500 logs from 22 different tree species were gathered in the Pameče industrial zone near Slovenj Gradec, maintaining this auction as the largest of its kind in this part of Europe. Although the volume at this year’s auction did not reach record numbers, the event remains crucial for forest owners and the timber industry. For the 19th consecutive year, it was organized by Jože Jeromel from the Association of Forest Owners of the Mislinja Valley, in collaboration with his colleagues. Three years ago, a record was set when the volume of collected logs reached nearly 10,000 cubic meters.
Along the road through Pameče, logs of impressive size are stacked, among which some of the most valuable specimens can be found. This year’s biggest surprise was a walnut log, which was sold for a record €16,506.65 to a buyer from Austria. This impressive specimen had a diameter of nearly two meters. In terms of volume, an oak log with a diameter of more than 1.5 meters stood out.
The Municipality of Slovenj Gradec supports the timber auction as an important economic event that enhances the town’s visibility and provides income for forest owners. At the same time, it highlights the need for the development of the local processing industry. Currently, high-quality timber is mostly exported rather than being processed domestically. Encouraging wood processing in the Koroška region would contribute to more jobs and higher added value, benefiting both the region and the entire Slovenian economy.
