Lumber: Weekly Pricing Trends
Wood Week: Jasper kiln fire, big wood investments


Lumber pricing is on the move again, as exports rise, affecting domestic supply.

In 2010, exports of hardwood lumber from the United States climbed 34 percent to 1.067 billion board feet, the first increase in four years. Prior to this rebound, exports had fallen from a record 1.324 billion board feet in 2006 to a 22-year low of 799 million board feet in 2009. The 2010 recovery was quite broad, with shipments increasing to each of the five largest markets. In order, they are China (330 million board feet - mmbf),  Canada (242 mmbf), Vietnam (100 mmbf), Mexico (89 mmbf) and Italy (72 mmbf). 

Top 2010 hardwood lumber species exports:
1. Poplar
2. Red Oak
3. White Oak
4. Other temperates (basswood/cottonwood/etc.)
Source: Hardwood Publishing

Weekly Hardwood Review 's Kiln-Dried and Green Price Indices,  based on average published prices of 7 key hard wood items. Margin is the difference between kiln-dried  and green indices.
Source: Hardwood Review.

 
Hardwood Publishing offers Hardwood Review, Hardwood Leader, WoodLogics and other services for lumber buyers and sellers in the wood manufacturing industries.
 Additional lumber supply information sources:
North American Wood Fiber Review
 Forest2Market.com
 Hardwood Leader
 Chicago Merc. Exchange Barcharts lumber futures

 

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