Production costs in the log processing of Eucalyptus spp. wood

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the production costs of processing logs from Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus saligna Sm, using two sawing pattern in a medium-sized sawmill. Alternating tangential sawing pattern was used for logs with a mean diameter of 33.0 cm and the radial sawing pattern for logs with a mean diameter of 47.0 cm. Based on the data obtained in the different sawing pattern, the fixed, variable and total costs were calculated and, subsequently, the average value for each of these costs. For the alternating tangential sawing pattern, the fixed cost represented 19.32% and the variable cost 80.68%. For the radial sawing pattern, the fixed cost represented 18.92% and the variable cost 81.08%. The radial sawing pattern presented lower average production costs, with a difference of 22.89 R$/m³, however there is no significant difference between the sawing pattern.