Throughout the Northeast region lumber sources weren’t able to come to a consensus as to how the market was faring, with one source noting that “some products are up and while other products are down.”
In Maryland a sawmill representative noted that when it comes to how his grade lumber is selling, White Oak continues to be selling the best, while Poplar and Red Oak are still moving despite not having high demand. “The marker keeps dropping on the Nos. 2 and 3 Common for Oak causing our orders to go down since we have them tied to the market,” he added.
His company offers Red and White Oak and Poplar, as well as some Gum, Maple, Hickory and Beech in a variety of grades and in 5/4 thickness.
He sells his upper grade lumber to distribution yards, while he sells his lower grade lumber to pallet, mat and crosstie manufacturers. “Sales to my customers seem to doing well, except for a few spotted items here and yonder,” he said, noting that his sales are looking better than they were six months ago.
When asked how he thinks the next six months will play out for him and his company, he said, “If we get some nice weather and some dryer land conditions, I think that supply will out strip the demand.”
In Pennsylvania, a lumberman said that his market has been stable. “I haven’t seen any upticks or down turns,” he said. “Our sales are doing about the same so far in 2024 as they were at the end of 2023.”
His company mainly offers Red and White Oak, Hard and Soft Maple and Cherry in 4/4 thickness and in grades No. 3A and Better.
He said that he is currently selling to secondary manufacturers, which include the kitchen and bath industry, moulding and millwork manufacturers and some distribution yards, as well as selling into the export market. He also noted that he is able to supply lumber to his company’s flooring plant.
“Sales have been steady and we haven’t seen a drop in the export sales,” he said, noting that there hasn’t been a major change since his domestic sales dropped in 2023.
He added that he believes that overall the market will remain calm and stable over the course of the next six months.
In New York, a lumber spokesperson said that his sales aren’t doing very well. “Between there not being enough logs and the price of lumber, sales are just slow right now,” he added.
He said that he is able to offer Hard and Soft Maple, Cherry, Birch, Ash, Red Oak and some Hickory, as well as white pine, in 4/4 thickness and in grades No. 2 Common and Better.
“I sell to end users, whole sellers and lumber brokers,” he said. He did add that he is remaining hopeful that the market and his sales will turn around for the better.
