Quebec Business Trends July 2026 – Overall Positive Report For Most Lumber Species Sales And Production
With cooler and wet weather conditions over May, production so far in 2026 is below the pace of 2025 figures. Contacts stated there was some lethargy in May, unlike the April and March momentum that had been evident. Business is good for moulding and millwork sectors for grade lumber, as well as to distribution yards. Residential flooring, wood furniture, cabinets and wood components sectors were noted as fair, some even saying they were slow. Logs are in better supply now that wet weather conditions have abated, with sawmills pushing more green lumber. Freight costs are a concern, which impact sawmills and end users. Profits are therefore hard to come by.
Ash production has decreased and therefore its availability is also less available, however, whatever is available is being sold without issues. Prices are stable for green and kiln-dried Ash.
Demand for the regionally important Hard Maple remains steady, but at a lesser pace than previous months. Production of this species is aligned with demand. Inventories of kiln-dried stock are in closer balance than were seen in previous weeks.
Soft Maple demand is seen as good for No. 1 Common and Better in Sap and Better for color designations. Cabinet and wood component manufacturers are the main purchasers at this time. Export markets are also reported to be more on the lower side as well.
Cherry sales are good with higher sales prices for uppers, commented contacts, while others stated receiving higher prices for any grade.
China continues to purchase high levels of this species, but this species is not doing as well on domestic markets.
Developing green production of Hickory is moving relatively well. Flooring plants were noted to have been purchasing more of the No. 3A and Better grade. Upper grades have also been good sellers. Hickory appears to have gained in popularity at this time, commented contacts.
Flooring manufacturers are seeking more No. 1 Common Red Oak to provide their finished goods. On the other hand, some plants are overstocked on White Oak No. 2A and 3A. There is an oversupply of lumber production with reduced purchasing by flooring plants and lack of competition for center-log material.
Markets are absorbing No. 3A and Better Red Oak output. Kiln-dried business is reported as decent on domestic markets, however the uncertainty in the Middle East is slowing sales activity to that region.
The ongoing appeal of White Oak from buyers continues despite challenging business conditions in several markets. There are logs readily available as the recent trend of lower prices across grades and thicknesses was driven by this excess supply. Contacts noted that supply and demand are now closer to being equal.
Poplar logs are also in good supply, and production is rising as a result, with markets absorbing the production. There does not appear to be a push from concentration yards purchasing this species due to its availability. FAS is a strong seller in kiln-dried markets, followed by No. 1 Common and No. 2A. Profits are, however, reported as thin for this species.
Production of Walnut by sawmills has increased and wholesalers are having no issues purchasing for their needs. Prices are lower for this species. Kiln-dried prices were reported as firm.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced it has expanded Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) regulated areas in Quebec and Nova Scotia after finding the invasive pest outside of current quarantine zones. The CFIA updated its regulated areas for EAB to include the Regional County Municipalities of Bonaventure, Charlevoix-Est and the City of La Tuque, in Quebec, and part of Hants County, Nova Scotia. As a result, Ash material (such as logs, branches and woodchips) and all species of firewood cannot be moved outside the regulated area without permission from the CFIA. If Ash material or firewood needs to be moved, please contact your local CFIA office to request written authorization.
Preventing and slowing the spread of invasive species, such as EAB, is critical to safeguarding forests, native plants and forestry-related industries. This pest has already killed millions of Ash trees in Canada and the U.S., and it poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas of North America.
The CFIA will continue to survey and monitor the spread of this pest through its annual surveillance program and, following a public consultation in the fall of 2025 on the re-evaluation of its EAB management strategy, anticipates finalizing its decision in 2026.
