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Business Trends

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West Coast Business Trends

At the time of this writing mortgage rates are still hovering around 6.8 percent, and while housing starts are predicted to jump from 1.42 to 1.44 million units in 2024, the current rates are not spurring an abundance of activity in the U.S. Prices for Western Spruce-Pine-Fir remain soft with mostly hand to mouth ordering. […]

Southeast Business Trends

Throughout the Southeast region lumber suppliers shared similar sentiments regarding how slow their marketplaces were doing at press time. In Alabama a lumber spokeswoman noted that her sales are worse than they were six months ago, and her company hasn’t been doing as well as it has been. Her company offers Southern Yellow Pine in […]

Lake States Business Trends – May 2024

In the Lake States region Hardwood activity is low compared to the beginning of the year.  An Indiana wholesaler said, “We came out in the beginning of the year a little stronger than where we are now. Some of that could be people holding off purchasing inventory from the holidays but now it has leveled […]

Northeast Business Trends – May 2024

Across the Northeast region, lumber suppliers had varied responses as to how their sales were, at the time of this writing. In Pennsylvania, a lumberman said that his marketplace was tough. “For most species FAS is still doing well, but Nos. 1 and 2 Common have fallen off the map.” He noted that his company […]

Southeast Business Trends – May 2024

Throughout the Southeast region lumber suppliers noted that their markets were not doing well. In Mississippi a lumberman said that his market is not doing well. “Our customers aren’t really buying very much product right now and our Hardwood sales have fallen off and I’m not sure I can put my finger on why.” He […]

West Coast Business Trends – May 2024

Hardwood suppliers on the West Coast accounted for steady activity, at the time of this writing. Most sources noted an improvement since the beginning of the year with White Oak being the hottest item. In California one Hardwood supplier said activity has improved since the beginning of the year. “I can’t put a percentage on […]

Ontario Business Trends – May 2024

With winter behind us, sawmills reported they still had low log decks and mill output was reportedly lower in Ontario and Quebec than in the U.S. Appalachian regions. Supplies of green No. 1 Common and Better grades of Hard and Soft Maple, as well as White Oak, were reported as low compared to buyers’ needs. […]

Quebec Business Trends – May 2024

Contacts report mixed levels of sales of kiln-dried lumber. Some say they are good, some describe them as fair, and others as slow depending on areas contacted. White Oak and Walnut were reported to be moving well. The regionally important species Hard and Soft Maple sales of upper grades were also moving well. Industry contacts […]

Northeast trends 

Throughout the Northeast region lumber sources weren’t able to come to a consensus as to how the market was faring, with one source noting that “some products are up and while other products are down.”  In Maryland a sawmill representative noted that when it comes to how his grade lumber is selling, White Oak continues […]

West Coast Business Trends

Recently, lumber sales on the West Coast were not going gang-busters, as reflected in interviews, but in some places, there were indications of strength. For example, a lumber sales spokesman in California noted that sales were “order-to-order, but steady. You can talk to a guy two days ago; then he wants the lumber now.” Customers […]