Southeast Business Trends November 2026 – Southeast Lumber Suppliers Hopeful The Market Will Pick Up
At the time of this writing, the hardwood lumber market in the Southeast received mixed reviews from sawmill representatives.
For one lumber supplier, the market is going well, while another reports that the market is about a five or a six out of a scale of one to 10 with grade lumber moving slow. Another reports that it’s challenging in her region, although Red Oak continues to be her top-moving hardwood species, even at a slower pace.
A lumber supplier in Mississippi said the market is pretty good. She added that it’s better than it was six months ago. Favorable weather conditions have contributed to a better hardwood lumber market, she noted.
“Six months ago, we were still in the early spring and wet weather,” the source said. “We’ve come through the summer pretty dry, and this time of the year it’s still a little bit dry here.”
Her operation handles mainly Red and White Oak and Poplar. It also handles some Beech and Gum. It offers grades FAS and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Common. The main thickness offered is 4/4.
No. 1 Common Red Oak is currently moving the best.
Her operation sells to casket makers, flooring customers, furniture manufacturers and some pallet manufacturers.
The lumber supplier did not report any challenges with transportation or labor at the time of this writing.
A Kentucky sawmill source said on a scale of one to 10, the market for hardwood lumber in his region is about a five or a six.
“We’re able to move a lot of things, but the lumber price coupled with everything else, then you throw on diesel expenses, has really hit home,” he explained.
He said the market is about the same as it was six months prior.
“In some areas, we’re finding it’s easier to move certain things, and other species it’s a little bit more difficult,” the source said.
Grade lumber is the most difficult to move, he said at the time of this writing.
His operation handles “a little bit of everything,” including upper grade Red and White Oak, Poplar, Hard and Soft Maple, and Hickory. It mainly offers thicknesses of 4/4 and 5/4.
“We don’t have any problem selling Hickory, and White Oak is in decent demand,” he said. “Everybody is wanting longer lengths, so the shorter lengths are kind of the log jam right now.”
His customers include end-use manufacturers, from trim to doors to furniture.
Some of those customers have provided forecasts over the next six months, saying things are going to move a little bit smoother.
“Price may lag behind moving, but they feel both those things are going to be moving in about six months or so,” the lumber representative said.
He said it was optimistic news but added, “just got to make it to the six months.”
His operation has had an ongoing challenge that it’s been facing for several years in his region.
“Labor is always an issue,” he said, “just because there are too many people on social programs. If we removed those, I think my labor issue would be fixed. But that’s not just been a 2026 issue; that’s been an issue for a long time in rural Kentucky.”
An Alabama lumber supplier said the market in her area is poor.
She attributed a lack of demand to the economy and uncertainty “with prices the way they are and the market has not gone up.”
Offering all grades of local species, such as Red and White Oak, Poplar and Hickory, her operation also handles Cypress and Southern yellow pine. For hardwood lumber, Red Oak is the primary species, although she added that all hardwood species are moving slow. The main thickness offered is 4/4.
Her customers include primarily homeowners and contractors.
“Everybody is just very slow, all the contractors are,” the source said. “There are a few people that are building barndominiums around here. They’ve come from Florida to hunt in our area, and they are building barndominiums, but as far as our economy in our little town, it is very poor.”
Labor has been a challenge for her operation. She said there is currently not a shortage, however, “because we are not doing very much, but we have dealt with labor shortages before.”
Despite challenges and a stagnant market, the lumber supplier has a positive outlook.
“We’re hopeful, of course, or else we wouldn’t still be in business, but I hope it improves,” she said.
The hardwood lumber market in the Southeast seems to be moving in a positive direction, and lumber representatives in the region are hopeful that the market will show improvements over the next six months going into the new year.
