Business Trends USA

Hardwood lumber suppliers on the West Coast reported stable to busy activity. Niche markets accounted for increased business while other markets stayed the same as the previous report. Throughout the region, several contacts mentioned challenging transportation concerns and are expecting availability shortages in the near term. One source in California said hardwood activity is steady. […]

With the American Thanksgiving and hunting season behind us, and as we approach the Holiday Season, businesses are winding down for this usual break and slowdown in business until the new year. They are taking this time to look ahead and plan, while remaining cautiously optimistic that inflation will go down, hardwood lumber and products […]

The fall and early winter is seeing lackluster demand for lumber and finished hardwood products. Secondary manufacturers such as residential flooring, cabinets, wood components, some millwork and moulding manufacturers noted they were keeping busy, compared to other markets. Several sawmills have reduced their production as lack of available logs is making it challenging for them […]

Gabon – Heavy rain continued to impact harvesting and production in Cameroon and the Central African Republic at the time of this writing. In Gabon, mill output has fallen as the government enforces regulations, particularly labor laws. The government in Gabon is taking a tough stance on labor issues given the recent industrial action by […]

In the Lake States region, sources from different states are sharing a generally positive outlook on their market conditions. Notably, two sources have mentioned that the Red Oak market is showing stronger performance in their region. In Indiana, a lumber saleswoman mentioned that her inventory is growing, but she’s seeing certain wood species gain popularity, […]

In the Northeast region, various sources from different states provided insights into the market conditions. While one source described the situation as slightly improving and steady, another source commented that their markets were starting to cool down. Additionally, consistent with other sources, White Oak sales have been performing good at the time of this writing. […]

In the Southeast region, various hardwood representatives from different states are observing the lumber market to be “Okay”, with White Oak showing notable strength according to one source. A hardwood sales representative in Tennessee reported that his domestic sales of White Oak are performing well, but he’s encountering difficulties in his export markets. “We are […]

On the West Coast, different sources provided insights into their market situations. Two sources mentioned average and steady business conditions, while another noted some inconsistency in their markets. In Washington, a hardwood salesman reported that his markets show inconsistency, with one week being different from the next. “Things are very sporadic. We will have a […]

As we head into fall, businesses are looking at ways of building inventories for later in the season and into early winter. With the Labor Day weekend behind us, it is business as usual. However, with lower production levels over the summer months, businesses are finding it challenging to get the stocks they need. Sawmills, […]

October is upon us and the fall season is in full swing for those in the hardwood industry. Planning and stocking up on supplies to see businesses through the fall and early winter are under way. Some are finding it challenging to get the lumber they need as competition is rather stiff at this time, […]