Price Trends, What Drives Value
Why there is no single price
Red sandalwood is sold by grade and characteristics, not as a uniform commodity. The strongest value drivers are consistent and verifiable, even when specific numbers are not:
Where current numbers live
Realised prices are set at regulated auctions, for AP, the Forest Department's e-auction results are the primary source. We do not reproduce a headline ₹/tonne figure here because it would be outdated immediately and unverifiable out of context. [Insert current, dated auction figures with a direct source link before publication.]
| Factor | What is established | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | Higher grades (colour, density, defect-free) command materially higher value. | AP Forest Dept auctions |
| Heartwood content | Value concentrates in dense red heartwood; sapwood is low-value. | ICFRE research |
| Log dimension | Larger, mature logs generally realise higher per-unit value. | AP Forest Dept auctions |
| Wavy grain | Rare wavy (“chandana”) grain attracts premium buyer interest. | Trade reporting |
| Current price | [Verify at source, do not assume. Auction results are the primary reference.] | AP Forest Dept |
Values on this page are placeholders pending verification against the cited primary sources. No number here is fabricated or assured.
Sources & references
- Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, red sanders e-auctions & depots , Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. Primary source for AP auction results and notifications.
- Forestry research on Pterocarpus santalinus , ICFRE. Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
- Red sanders / red sandalwood trade analysis , TRAFFIC. Wildlife-trade monitoring network reports.
Figures cited on this page must be confirmed against these primary sources and dated before publication. This project publishes no unsourced or fabricated numbers.
Want the current auction figures?
We share sourced, dated numbers with the notification behind them.