The first quarter of 2021, the markets for Hardwood lumber in the Northeast are good.
“Very strong” is how a lumberman in Pennsylvania described the market for his products. He added that business was “much better” than it had been six months earlier.
The species and grades of lumber he supplies include Red Oak, Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple and Poplar, mainly FAS and No. 1 Common in 4/4 through 8/4 thicknesses.
He sells to distribution yards and end use manufacturers. “Their sales are going well,” he noted. “Everybody figures business will be bullish at least through the second quarter. Nobody knows about the third quarter. Time will tell. Our customers’ businesses seem to be rather strong right now.”
Transportation isn’t hampering his business. “We seem to be able to find all the freight we need right now,” he observed. “It seems to be a little bit better than it was a month ago.”
Another Pennsylvania lumber provider sounded a little less glowing but was still positive. “Actually,” he stated, “business is pretty good. Our biggest problem is getting green lumber. But that’s kind of turned a little bit. Business isn’t bad, really.” In fact, he said, it’s better than it was six months ago.
“We’re heavy into 4/4 and 5/4 No. 2 and Better Walnut,” he remarked. He also sells Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple and Red Oak, which are all selling well. However, Walnut is “by far” the best seller, he observed.
He sells his lumber to end users and distribution yards. “They don’t really tell us how their sales are going,” he remarked. “They’re constantly wanting to buy more lumber, so I’m assuming business is pretty good.”
Transportation, he noted, is not negatively affecting his company. “It’s tough to get trucks sometimes,” he stated, “but we’re getting through it.”
In New York State, one source said the market for his products is “fairly good.” He added that business is better than it was a half a year ago.
His products include Red and White Oak and Hard and Soft Maple in FAS and Better, No. 1 and No. 2 Common in 4/4 through 8/4.
Mostly, he sells to distribution yards, but his customers also include end users. “Their sales tend to be going pretty well right now,” he noted.
Asked if transportation was a problem for his firm, he replied, “No. Here’s the problem we have. There’s not much spread between the green and kiln-dried prices. Margins are terrible. So, lumber is moving but there’s not much room for the kiln-dried. If you add the kiln-drying to it, it doesn’t bring additional profit.”
In Massachusetts, a lumberman stated that the market for his lumber is good. However, he added, “It’s getting very difficult to find stock. That goes for just about any species or grade.” He said the market is “probably about the same” as it was six months earlier. “The supply end is getting difficult,” he observed.
He sells most domestic species between 4/4 and 8/4 in upper grades. The best sellers, he noted, are Soft Maple, Poplar and White Oak.
Customers are primarily end users. “As far as I know, their business is OK.” Transportation is not an issue for him, “not at all,” he said.
Just to the south in Connecticut, a source stated, “The lumber market is good. Everything’s moving pretty quickly; that’s for sure.” The market is better than it was six months ago, he added.
His sales include Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple, Birch, Hickory and Ash in grades No. 3 and Better. “No question White Oak FAS is probably the hottest thing that we produce,” he observed. “No. 1 Common is going OK. Red Oak FAS is going pretty well. No. 2 and No. 3 Common are going to flooring manufacturers. I wouldn’t say there’s anything that’s lagging, quite frankly. It’s all moving well.”
Customers include both end users and distribution yards. “I think the markets for their products are strong,” he stated. “It’s supply-driven. There doesn’t seem to be enough lumber out there. Everybody’s finding lumber tough to come by.”
Transportation, he noted, isn’t a problem for him and his business. “It’s not a huge hangup, I guess,” he remarked. “I don’t see it as a real factor.”
