The Impact of Forest Reproductive Material Prices on Afforestation Costs in Hungary in 2010–2017

The genetic origin and the quality of forest reproductive material are increasingly critical issues in afforestation, as forest reproductive material constitutes the genetic resource of the forest itself. Consequently, foresters are beginning to re-evaluate the strategic importance of nurseries, and thus, of the forest reproductive material sector. The aim of the present analysis is to show changes in forest reproductive material prices and their impact on afforestation costs. The article reveals that the average nominal price of forest reproductive material increased by 33% during the period under review. However, since inflation was 23% during the same period, the overall real price increase in the sector amounted to approximately 10%. Although the price of forest reproductive materials has risen over the last 10 years, it started from such a low baseline that it has generated negligible revenue for producers compared to other cost increases. According to the research calculations, the adoption of larger-sized, containerized (cell-grown) or protected (e.g., tree tubes) forest reproductive material with higher added value in afforestation—contrary to current practices—would not lead to a drastic increase in total afforestation costs. The article demonstrates that, at 2017 prices, the cost of afforestation would barely increase if larger or containerized forest reproductive material were used instead of conventional technologies. Cite this article as: Karpati, B. I. (2026). The impact of forest reproductive material prices on afforestation costs in Hungary in 2010–2017. Forestist, 76, 0006, doi: 10.5152/forestist.2026.25006.