Business Trends

As we move forward in the new year, the forest industry continues to struggle with the pandemic, a shortage of trained workers, inflation, and supply chain issues. The housing sector has cooled somewhat due to the increased mortgage rates, and people have reigned in their spending on home remodeling projects, thus reducing demand for Hardwood […]

Business was at a slower pace at the start of 2023 than the previous several months. As log and timber prices continued to be volatile, those in the forestry sector are taking a conservative approach to their purchases. The milder winter weather conditions have also had an impact on logging activity, and therefore, some report […]

Lumbermen in the Lake States called their markets, in a word, “OK.” One lumber provider went so far as to say his business is “positive right now,” as of the time of this writing. In Michigan, a sawmill representative described his market as “pretty mediocre. Some aspects of the market are still OK. Some products […]

Across the Northeast region several lumber representatives reported mixed feelings as to where lumber sales and prices stood at the time of this writing. Some noted that their markets are still strong, while others mentioned that sales are soft and that the lumber purchasing seems to be spotty. A Connecticut lumber provider described his market […]

Throughout the Southeast region, sources have said that their markets are slower than they have been. One source noted, at the time of this writing, that he has seen an increase in his sales over the past few weeks, while another said this is the worst he’s ever seen the marketplace in all his time […]

As we move into 2023, and remember the challenges faced and overcome of the past year, supply and demand are still off at this time. According to sources it seems there is a closer balance being experienced for certain grades and thicknesses for green lumber, but a different story for kiln-dried items. Markets are weak […]

The pace of business is gradually returning following the holiday period with most species, grades and thicknesses being available, commented contacts in Quebec and along the U.S. border states. Ash logs are harder to come by due to the Emerald Ash Borer having decimated many stands. However, end users and wholesalers say they can still […]