Category: Business Trends

By Zach Miller At the time of this writing, the North American Lumber market, relative to this time of year, can best be described as

By Sue PutnamEditor Across the Southeastern region while all lumber sources agreed that their sales were slow, they each believe it is for a different

By Richard LipmanGuest Writer Noted an SPF manufacturer in Quebec, “Both Ontario and Quebec are still very difficult. Now that the weather is improving in

Three Northeastern lumber distributors shared a common thread regarding the state of the industry through the final quarter of 2023.Each source also had a unique

Inflated interest rates, an ambling housing market and the imminent wintry weather cycle were cited by industry sources as culprits in the lukewarm final quarter

Sources throughout the Midwest region are all in agreement that sales are steady for this time of year and that the market appears to be

As we kick off 2024, the North American lumber market could best be described as lackluster. West Coast manufacturers are dealing with a myriad of

While prospective lumber customers continue to wait for lower interest rates before committing to new builds, lumbermen in the Southeast region noted that rates “might

Interest rates continue to be on everyone’s mind as we go into 2024. “We had a very good run in the lumber markets through November,”

Softwood suppliers in the Northeast accounted for softer market conditions. In New Hampshire a contact said, “It’s definitely slower than the last quarter. All of

Throughout the Inland West region lumber sources varied as to how their marketplaces were faring, at the time of this writing, with some stating that

Throughout the Midwest region there were mixed reviews as to how the market in the area was faring at the time of this writing. In

Across the Southeast region, lumber sources said that their markets are fair and that at the time of this writing, sales were slowing down some.

“The market continues to be a struggle,” according to a Quebec SPF manufacturer, “with consumers dealing with high interest rates and an abundant supply of

In Massachusetts one lumber supplier has noticed a slight slowdown in business, but stated that market activities are returning to normal, resembling pre-Covid conditions. “Things

“It has slowed down. There was a bubble that kind of happened, and I took advantage of it. I was thinking should I sell this

Spruce-Pine-Fir, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar are the species that he markets, in No. 2 and Better in 2×4 through 2×12. “As far as

At the time of this writing West Coast commodity lumber sales are best described as stagnant, prices have hit a wall and in some cases

Across the Southeast, multiple sources have indicated that their markets are experiencing a slowdown in comparison to previous years. In Alabama, a lumber supplier said

Fires, weather, housing starts and interest rates dominated the discussion this period. An Ontario manufacturer indicated that “we’re quiet right now. It feels like the

Lumber suppliers and buyers throughout the Northeast area account for decreased demand and troubled pricing activity. The source in Michigan said business conditions are about