Lumber prices for Hardwood lumber and softwood lumber continue to fluctuate. Wholesale hardwood lumber suppliers for red oak, white oak, walnut, cypress, cherry, maple and others still face uncertainty. Lumber price futures are up as the housing market continues to improve. As of 12/23/11, they were at 243.50, which was an improvement of 2.5 points over the prior settle. Wholesale lumber suppliers had the positive news of November housing starts were up at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 685,000, which was 9.3% above the October figure. Additionally, the NAHB homebuilder sentiment survey was also up to 20. While sentiment is still poor (anything below 50 is considered negative) it shows that perceptions are improving. In looking at global demand, according to Wood Resources International, global conifer saw log prices fell for the 1st time since first quarter of 2009 as a result of sluggish lumber markets. The drop in log prices is a positive note for sawmills that have been squeezed by low demand at home due to a anemic housing market and high log prices driven from strong global demand. According to the report, the only region that saw any substantial price increase in the 3Q was British Columbia, where prices were up 5 to 7% from the previous quarter, largely due to export demand.. The price for Coastal Hemlock rose over 3 percent in the 3Q, while the price for spruce-pine-fir (SPF) logs in Interior BC rose nearly 7 per cent. In looking at U.S. forest product exports, As of October 2011, year to date U.S. lumber exports are up 15% total over the previous year. The stand out country is China, which is up an amazing 72% over the previous year. This trend appears to be holding up as the single month of October 69%.. In contrast to U.S. exports of lumber, global demand for U.S. logs appears to be softening. As of October 2011, log (timber in the rough) exports (hs code = 4403), U.S. exports were up 26% total over 2010. This is led by China, which is up 88%. However, when you look at the 2nd quarter 2011, China is up 33%. When you look at U.S. exports to China for October 2011, this number is down about 1% over the previous year (total U.S. exports of logs / timber in the rough are down 7% in October). This may suggest that log / timber inventories are at high levels and importers are starting to reduce their shipments.
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Lumber News from Around the Web
- Family Outings: At Arcola Mills, learn about lumber days, soak up some nature - Pioneer Press May 19, 2013Family Outings: At Arcola Mills, learn about lumber days, soak up some naturePioneer PressI had taken my 7-year-old on a morning excursion to visit Arcola Mills, a graceful 19th-century mansion a few miles north of Stillwater that provides both a retreat to nature and a glimpse into the era of the St. Croix Valley's lumber boom. This summer ... […]
- Ore. Timber Country Ponders Future With Fewer Logs - ABC News May 19, 2013Ore. Timber Country Ponders Future With Fewer LogsABC NewsJennifer Phillippi's grandparents started producing lumber in this corner of Oregon timber country in 1922, when a man could set up a mill, log the trees within range of a team of horses and move the mill to a new stand when those trees ran out. In ...and more » […]
- HARD-SURFACE FLOORING OPTIONS ON THE RISE - U-T San Diego May 18, 2013HARD-SURFACE FLOORING OPTIONS ON THE RISEU-T San DiegoWhat lies underfoot can be a top-of-the-mind decision for homeowners and remodelers trying to find the right flooring. While determining factors include function, pricing and trends, area flooring retailers agree that their customers are headed toward ... […]
- Letter: Bybee timber sale threatens Crater Lake - Statesman Journal May 18, 2013Letter: Bybee timber sale threatens Crater LakeStatesman JournalI am a student at the University of Oregon and I am concerned about the Bybee timber sale that has been proposed on the boundary of Crater Lake National Park and which would greatly affect the ecosystems in this area. As a resident of Oregon, I have ... […]
- Hardwood forest not being preserved - Jackson Clarion Ledger May 18, 2013Hardwood forest not being preservedJackson Clarion LedgerI also gave them alternatives to the standard clear-cutting practice of pristine hardwood forests, which would have generated sustained revenue to the county (I know of a young Mississippi horse logger who could generate annual revenue without ... […]
- Local Flooring Business Part of a National Campaign - Patch.com May 18, 2013Local Flooring Business Part of a National CampaignPatch.comAccording to Vice President of Marketing & Advertising Frank Chiera, “The Where Friends Send Friends mobile tour creates excitement and a level of engagement with the brand and our customers that is truly unique in the flooring industry. We can't wait ... […]
- Back to the Futures: Soybeans shoot higher, precious metals soften and lumber ... - The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines (blog) May 17, 2013The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines (blog)Back to the Futures: Soybeans shoot higher, precious metals soften and lumber ...The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines (blog)Cold, wet weather in the US this spring slowed down construction, diminishing short-term demand for lumber. A report released Thursday showed that housing star […]
- Timber! Watch Out for Falling Lumber Prices - Minyanville.com May 17, 2013Timber! Watch Out for Falling Lumber PricesMinyanville.comAnother leading indicator, lumber, is known as the barometer for the housing market. When lumber prices are in an uptrend, typically so are housing builds, home prices, etc. Lumber prices have been very strong over the last five years, having turned up ...and more » […]
- The Hot New Thing To Worry About Is Lumber Futures - Business Insider May 17, 2013The Hot New Thing To Worry About Is Lumber FuturesBusiness InsiderLumber prices and the Homebuilding Stocks have a pretty high correlation for obvious reasons. They generally move higher together, and lower together, over longer periods of time. When they start diverging, however, we should probably take notice ...and more » […]
- The hottest trends in wood flooring - Chicago Tribune May 17, 2013Chicago TribuneThe hottest trends in wood flooringChicago TribuneKristy Kitzmiller had three requirements of the flooring for her new beachfront home in New Buffalo, Mich. It must be beautiful, environmentally friendly and able to withstand sandy feet from her human and canine visitors. Her choice: wide-plank (6- to ... […]
