Lumber representatives from the Northeastern region provided an assortment of market reviews in addition to some concerns about potential changes in the future of the lumber industry regarding imported and exported goods.
In New York, a lumber spokesperson noted that the market is “fairly good” when asked about the state of business in his area and that it is the same as it was six months ago.
Species the company sells are Red and White Oak in grades such as FAS and Better and No. 1 Common and No. 2 Common. Red Oak is their best seller.
The company sells their products to hardwood distribution yards and export customers who have not offered any of their own comments regarding how the market for their own products was faring.
As for the possible tariffs, he added, “it is going to hurt us.”
A lumber source located up in Maine had a different outlook compared to the New York lumber spokesperson, stating that their market is “a challenge because it is very anemic. Demand is soft. The only thing that is helping keep the market propped up is lack of sawmill production.” He did, however, mention that the market is “about the same” as it was six months ago.
As for what they are offering, he said “pretty much everything that grows in the forests up here. Red Oak and Hard Maple are our two biggest. Yellow Birch, Ash and Soft Maple are some of the other species. Red Oak, Hard Maple and Ash are selling the best as of right now.” They handle these species in all grades and have several mills.
Their customers, he said, are “everyone imaginable. We deal with furniture, moulding and cabinet manufacturers. We also export.” Compared to six months ago, business is faring the same. Despite this, he added, “everybody’s business is off.”
As far as tariffs are concerned, “I have mixed feelings. If they’re going to tariffs, I hope they put tariffs on the logs because we’ve got too many logs being stuffed into containers and going overseas, primarily to Vietnam and China.” When it comes to other problems in the industry that might be affecting our business, he noted, “labor has been a challenge but we have gotten a bit better over here recently. There is nothing helping our business right now with the increased cost of electricity, the increased cost of labor and logs.”
A source located in Pennsylvania explained that in regards to how the market looks, “it’s a little slow.” He also explained that when compared to six months before, the market is about the same.
Hardwood species that the company mainly handles include Red and White Oak, Cherry, Hard and Soft Maple. The grades they work with are FAS and No. 2 Common and Better. The best-selling species they offer is Soft Maple and they sell pallet grade cants.
Their customer base consists of a decent variety, selling to both export and domestic buyers such as distribution yards, flooring and cabinet companies. He added that his customers have communicated the same thing: “the market isn’t really improving; it is just steadily going along.”
When asked about the effect the potential tariffs will have, he said “we are just waiting to see what happens. Our Chinese customers are fearful that they’re going to get tariffs put on them again. It will definitely negatively affect our business, but we also hope it won’t.” Labor, however, is “for sure negatively affecting the business- it’s a constant struggle trying to get people to work,” he stated.
