Northeast Business Trends November 2026 – Market In Northeast OK For Now
Hardwood lumber sources across the Northeast are reporting that while the market seems to be steady there is some uncertainty in the future. High fuel prices continue to be a top concern among lumber manufacturers and is one of the main contributors to that uncertainty. For some in the Northeast, the market for grade lumber seems to be soft.
A sawmill source in New York said the hardwood lumber market is holding its own, although she added that “it’s certainly not getting better.” The lumber representative said the market is probably about the same as it was six months ago.
Her operation handles all species of regional hardwood, such as Hard and Soft Maple, Red and White Oak, Cherry and Basswood, in a variety of grades from scragg to veneer. Thicknesses are from 4/4 to 8/4.
The source said white woods are selling best right now.
She has a variety of customers from distributors to end users to hobbyists.
The lumber representative said both transportation and labor are challenges.
“Freight is ridiculously expensive, and it’s hard to find employees that’ll work,” she explained.
When asked how the market is overall in his region, a Pennsylvania lumber supplier said, “It’s OK today.” He added that it’s about the same as it was six months ago.
His operation handles all the Appalachian species, usually grades of No. 1 Common & Better. It offers thicknesses of 4/4 to 16/4, although not everything is offered in 16/4.
Walnut and White Oak are moving the best, the source said.
His customers include end users such as millwork and cabinet makers, home builders and retailers.
The lumber representative said both transportation issues and a labor shortage have caused challenges.
“With fuel prices up and interest rates up, I think it’s going to slow down some,” the source said about his outlook on the market in the future.
A Vermont sawmill source, offering primarily Northern Hard Maple from pallet grade to FAS, said the market for grade lumber is soft.
He said some prices are definitely falling a bit for Hard Maple, and the market is slightly worse than it was six months ago.
“I think there’s uncertainty in the market and climbing fuel prices are affecting a number of the buyers,” he explained. “Then, definitely on the trucking side, fuel prices have had a big effect.”
At the time of this writing, he added, that it was wintertime six months ago, “so everybody was in winter cutting mode. Now that lumber that they cut back in the winter has been dried, and so they are trying to sell it. I think there’s a bit of toilet flushing.”
His operation offers thicknesses of 4/4 to 16/4. In addition to upper grade lumber, it also makes railroad ties and pallet cants.
While Hard Maple has been the sawmill’s “bread and butter,” the source said, “We like sawing Ash.” However, the export of Ash logs has made it difficult to be able to saw lumber to compete against, the lumber supplier said. “The Ash logs are bringing almost as much money stuffed in a container as I can sell the lumber for,” he added.
His customers include wholesalers, some distributors and some direct to manufacturers.
A challenge his operation is facing is the high cost of transportation.
“Fuel pricing is pushing $6.50 a gallon for diesel,” he said at the time of this writing, “which not only affects transportation of lumber but it also affects transportation of the logs and then the loggers.”
He said the market seems to be a bit of an uncertain picture.
“So, there’s a bit of nervousness about what the next 6 to 8 months or a year is going to be,” the source said.
He added, “Generally speaking, we’re holding our own.”
He continued, “I’m thankful I have some really solid people I work with both on the buying and selling sides, so I know we’re going to be in it together.”
Overall, the hardwood lumber market in the Northeast continues to mostly remain the same with prices dipping some for certain species. Suppliers hope for a better market in the next six months, although many are uncertain about the future if fuel prices continue to increase.
