Forest2Market Monthly News



January Poll


Forest2Market is forecasting 1.26 million US housing starts in 2018. How do you think the sector will perform?

_________________________________________
Under Forest2Market's forecast
In line with Forest2Market's forecast
Over Forest2Market's forecast
Results From December's Poll


What wood-based products or innovations are you most excited about for 2018?
2017 Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Prices: Quarterly Data and Yearly Comparisons

By John Greene
The North American lumber market experienced a wild ride in 2017. Despite new US legislation imposing tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports, North American lumber remains in high demand as confirmed by Madison’s Lumber Reporter, which shows steep price increases for benchmark products during 2017 as noted in the chart below.

Lumber Prices: A Look Back at the North American Forest Industry in 2017

By Keta Kosman
What a year 2017 has been! Sawmills across Canada and the US will hardly get a chance to assess this wild 2017 as year-end inventory in their yards is calculated before the new year arrives—with newly-established softwood lumber duties.


Southern Yellow Pine Exports to China on Pace to Double in 2017

By Daniel Stuber
According to trade data compiled by the US Census Bureau through October, 2017 exports of southern yellow pine (SYP) logs are on track to increase 65 percent over 2016. Prices 2 for Douglas fir, Hemlock and SYP are also reflecting an increase this year over last year.

Scarcity of Birch Veneer Logs in Russia Raises Questions

Russian wood-consuming companies are facing birch supply challenges, regardless of whether they procure fiber from their own forest leases or market suppliers. In fact, it is estimated that from 2013-2017, birch veneer log prices increased more than 75 percent in local currency (16 percent in Euros). Furthermore, the leading Russian mills have to pay price premiums on top of the general log prices and in order to secure sufficient volumes, some Russian plywood producers are forced to haul logs from over 900 miles away.


US Forest Industry Performance: November 2017

By Joe Clark
Total industrial production (IP) rose 0.9 percent in October (+2.9 percent YoY), and manufacturing increased 1.3 percent. The index for utilities rose 2.0 percent, but mining output fell 1.3 percent, as Hurricane Nate caused a sharp but short-lived decline in oil and gas drilling and extraction. Even so, industrial activity was boosted in October by a return to normal operations after the disruptions of hurricanes Harvey and Irma in August and September.

US Housing Starts Continue End-of-Year Run in November

By John Greene
After soaring nearly 14 percent in October, US housing starts jumped 3.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1,297,000 units in November. Single-family starts accounted for 930,000 units, which is 5.3 percent above the revised October figure of 883,000.

Commercial Construction in Wood
Mass Timber Projects Gaining Ground & Reaching New Heights

By John Greene
Two milestone North American mass timber projects are demonstrating that wood is still an incredibly versatile and reliable building material that will play an important role in the 21 st century. As green building codes become more commonplace with the assistance of programs like the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating and certification structure, various types of manufactured wood products, including cross-laminated timber (CLT), will become more prevalent building materials.

Secretary Zinke Demonstrates Commitment to Working Forests

By John Greene
Last spring, President Trump signed a highly contentious executive order requiring U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to perform a formal review of certain national monument designations created under the Antiquities Act. Secretary Zinke has finalized his review and released the final report outlining his recommendations to the President, which may benefit forest communities in rural Oregon.