MODELING OF PRICE CHANGES FOR PULPWOOD FR OM SMALL WOODLOTS IN QUEBECBETWEEN 1943 AND 1990

In Quebec the rightness of prices paid to small woodlot owners for the ir pulpwood has been a subject of controversy since the late 1940's. O ur research examined the impact of some economical, political, and soc iological factors applied to the price system pertaining to the nonind ustrial private forests between 1943 and 1990. To do so, we have built a regression model explaining 81% of price movement during that perio d. The study shows how interfering laws have affected the market. It a lso demonstrates the information effect resulting in price stability. Marketing boards appear to enhance woodlot owners' behavior as rationa l economic actors. Finally our study emphasizes a complementarity betw een crown lands and privately owned forests preventing a more efficien t production from woodlot owners.