Business Trends

Lumber buyers in the Lake States area report products are moving but conditions are tough. In Wisconsin, a contact said, “Red and White Oak continue to move well but everything else is hit or miss.” When asked if things are better or worse than the same time earlier in the year he said it’s a […]

Throughout the Northeast region opinions vary on how the market is doing. One source noted that while his grade lumber is selling better, his industrial lumber has become harder to move. Another source noted that his sales are slow and believes that they have been curtailed due to the lack of demand in the housing […]

Sources in the Southeast region had mixed feelings as to how the market was doing at the time of this writing, with one source summing it up well: “Some things are good, and some things are not.” In Louisiana a lumber spokesman said that while his sales have been slow, they have been somewhat steady. […]

Sources on the West Coast account for slower business conditions at the time of this writing after a busy first quarter. One contact in Washington said, “April was probably 40 percent slower, but we had a good first quarter.” As for what contributes to the slowdown he said, “We work with quite a few mills […]

According to lumber contacts, even though production has been down, many species, grades and thicknesses are exceeding market demand. Exports to the U.S. and on international markets are also weak for key grade lumber items. Some say markets are very slow, almost at a standstill. Lumber is moving for whitewoods but not sufficiently to stabilize […]

The usual slowdown in business was felt as the summer construction break took effect at the end of July. Also, the industry is seeing a slowdown in demand for Hardwood lumber, products and finished goods. There are concerns on lumber supplies as the pulp and paper industry is seeing a slowdown in their production as […]

Lumbermen in the Lake States region had good things to say about their markets in recent interviews. “Our business activity seems to be going well,” said a lumber provider in Illinois. Compared to six months ago, his business is “a little better,” he remarked. “Prices were better overall six months ago, but some prices have […]

Across the Northeast region there seems to be a mixed bag on how Hardwood lumber sales were varying, at the time of this writing. In Maine a sawmill representative said that his sales have been poor. “There is lack of demand, and there is over supply. I don’t think that sales will change for quite […]

Throughout the Southeast region there were mixed reviews as to how the market was faring, at the time of this writing. Some sources said that the market was extremely strong, while others have said that their sales were not doing well. An Arkansan lumber spokesperson said that his market seemed to be picking up. “It’s […]

On the West Coast, sales of Hardwood lumber are not bad, based on recent interviews with lumbermen there. An Oregon supplier said business is still strong. “We have stayed pretty busy,” he noted. “Businesses in the area here are busy, too.” Compared to several months ago, the market for his company is better, he stated. […]