Forest2Market Monthly News
US Imposes Canadian Lumber Tariffs in Absence of New Softwood Lumber Agreement

By John Greene
In his first 100 days in office, President Trump is making good on a central component of his campaign platform: examining and renegotiating trade deals that will be in “America’s best interest.” While he has recently backed off some of the heated campaign-trail rhetoric aimed at China, his administration has instead taken issue with Canada. After trade talks on Canadian dairy products fell through, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross recently said that stiff new tariffs on softwood lumber shipped into the US will be imposed.
Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Prices Surge to 12-Year High in April

By John Greene
The composite southern yellow pine lumber price soared in late April to its highest level since Forest2Market implemented its weekly index in 2009. While a number of market and trade-related factors have combined to buoy the price through 1Q2017, a milder-than-normal winter also likely helped to drive prices higher. 
Continue Reading...
Maine Forest Industry Positioning Itself for the Future

By Eric Kingsley
Sometimes you need to step back, take a breath and evaluate things objectively. With a string of pulp mill closures, the Northeastern US forest products industry has lost markets for about 4 million tons of pulpwood and biomass since 2014. In a state with a total timber harvest of about 14 million tons, that’s a big deal. The entire supply chain—landowners, loggers, truckers and mill facilities—has felt the impact of these losses, and it hasn’t felt good.

Continue Reading...
Climate Change Research Focuses on Great Lakes Forests

By John Greene
Per a recent article in the Great Lakes Echo, climate change could have profound effects on forests in the Great Lakes region over the coming decades. While the earth’s weather patterns have always been subject to wild swings and extremes from season to season and year to year, most experts generally agree that these changes will intensify and cause a host of challenges as the 21st century progresses. 

Continue Reading...
With Winter’s Late Arrival, US Housing Starts Drop in March

By John Greene
US housing starts decreased in March, in part due to the effects associated with winter storm Stella. The storm—rated a category 3 (major) on the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale (NESIS)—dumped up to 5 feet of snow in areas of the Northeast, which hindered building projects. Construction in January and February was supported by warmer-than-usual weather, and the severe storm and cold snap in March was anticipated to affect homebuilding. Despite the temporary downturn, an increase in March building permits suggests that the housing market recovery remains intact.
 
Continue Reading...
Southern Pine Beetle Outbreak Could Threaten Alabama Forests

By John Greene
Despite the best silvicultural, forest management and sustainability practices that are now standard in many of the country’s forests, we are often reminded that Mother Nature is ultimately in control. Large-scale wildfires and pest and disease outbreaks can decimate otherwise healthy stands of timber in very little time, and the effects of such an event can last for decades. Even when actively managed, disasters can strike a forest without warning—as recently demonstrated in Alabama.

Continue Reading...
US Forest Industry Performance: March 2017

By Joe Clark
Reflecting annual revisions published at the end of March, total industrial production (IP) edged up by 0.1 percent in February (+0.4 percent YoY). Manufacturing output rose by 0.5 percent (+1.5 percent YoY). Revisions to total IP show lower rates of change in recent years—especially 2014 and 2015. Also, total IP returned to its pre-recession peak in November 2014 instead of the previously reported May 2014.
 
Continue Reading...