Slowing demand opens hardwood supply
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Cherry will be plentiful as remodeling slackens, says editors at Hardwood Review, while a downtick in China's demand for oak will make that species more plentiful by the season's end.

Slowing demand opens hardwood supplyHardwood Publishing offers Hardwood Review, Hardwood Leader, WoodLogics and other services  for lumber buyers and sellers in the wood manufacturing industries.


• Cherry – The small uptick in Cherry cabinet orders earlier this year is falling by the way as remodeling activity slows back down. Therefore, upper-grade Cherry will be plentiful. Common-grade Cherry supplies will stay tight due to low production, not strong demand.

• Hard and Soft Maple – Demand for Hard and Soft Maple from cabinet and component plants is not particularly robust, but neither is supply. As with Cherry, we expect low production to keep several Maple items scarce despite the lackluster demand.

• Red Oak – Chinese buyers will curb purchases for 2 to 3 months. Since they have been buying all grades of Red Oak, the impact will be more extensive than past slowdowns in that market. Meanwhile, Red Oak production is set to increase, and domestic markets are not prepared to absorb any more. Red Oak will likely be overabundant by the latter half of summer.

• Poplar – Domestic demand for Poplar will hold up better than demand for most other species because of its versatility and low price in an ultra-cost-conscious era. However, higher production and the likelihood of reduced exports to China, Vietnam and Italy will bolster supplies.

Slowing demand opens hardwood supply





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