By Lydian Kennin
Staff Writer
The Softwood market in the Northeast has begun to settle amongst the chaos that has been the industry demand of 2021. Despite this cooldown, sources have confirmed that the market is still very busy, but mills are operating well given the warm season.
“I’d say it has calmed down from the craziness,” said a sales manager in New Hampshire. “It’s going at a better pace. I wouldn’t say it has dropped off a lot, but it’s at more of a normal pace, finally.”
This contact’s sawmill produces over 30 million board feet of Eastern White Pine annually. Lumber manufactured here is available in all NELMA Grades and patterns, strictly 4/4. When asked about supply, the contact stated that the warm weather has aided in the drying turnover. “It’s that time of the year where we can operate more efficiently,” he said.
This facility sells to wholesale distributors and lumber brokers around the country. The source stated the broker side of the industry is slowing, with dimension, plywood and OSB prices dropping rapidly. “They may be thinking, ‘I’m not going to buy my Eastern White Pine yet because I think I can make it to next week, and it might be cheaper next week’,” he said. “But, wholesale distribution seems to still be very, very busy.”
When asked about transportation in New Hampshire, the sales manager responded that although other parts of the country are still experiencing issues, his company has fared well. “We’re in a healthy place, inventory-wise,” he said. “We’ve been getting four to five trucks a day pretty regularly which has been nice.”
This source believes that the industry is currently at a turning point that will reveal which way the market will swing in the coming months. “It’s a little bit of a wait-and-see,” he said. “Our prices have not dropped, so I cannot complain. Honestly, if it just stays right here, I’m happy.”
A lumber broker located in Massachusetts reported that the Softwood market has been slowing with less of the same frantic intensity seen a few months ago; however, the demand is still “through the roof,” she said.
Her company is a stocking wholesale distributor of Eastern White Pine and Western Red Cedar in NELMA grades of both species in square edge, pattern, and dimensional stock available in 4/4 through 8/4.
This source sells to industrial manufacturers, independent lumber yards and general contractors who are reportedly struggling to get product in time to finish projects before the winter.
“Here in New England, that becomes an issue when we’re coming up against weather starting to turn in November,” she said. “Some of them have decided to hold off until next year because they’re afraid they’re not going to be able to finish.”
When asked about transportation, she responded, “We’re fortunate to work with a network of dedicated carriers, so we have been able to secure transportation pretty readily as needed.”
Transportation costs rose three months prior when fuel prices increased, but they have remained steady since. “We’re just keeping pace with everything and trying to find whatever we can for our customer base,” she said.
“A month ago, everything was crazy,” said the fifth-generation owner of a sawmill located in Maine. “Boards are still strong, but dimension has weakened considerably.”
This source reported that there is currently strong, continued demand for Eastern White Pine boards and limited availability, which he believes is partially the fault of COVID-19.
His company manufactures Eastern White Pine in NELMA grades available in 4/4 and 5/4, selling to independent retail yards in-state and wholesale distributors outside of Maine.
Transportation in Maine has also improved slightly. This executive described trucking as “not great, but not as bad as it has been before.”
