Southern Comments

POPLAR

Total demand for hardwood finished goods is not very good. However, Poplar is a mainstay species in manufactured products. Kiln dried Poplar sales are keeping inventories in check, with some grades and thicknesses in short supply. This week, the 5/4 #1C listings advance. Green production is readily being absorbed by yards and end users at prices closely aligned to the #2B&Btr listings.

Appalachian Comments

POPLAR

Sawmills and concentration yards report solid business activity for this species. The only weak spot seems to be green #2B, which is attracting only limited interest. Green supplies have tightened up in many areas. Prices are advancing faster for green than for kiln dried Poplar. In this issue, the green 4/4 through 6/4 Fas&1f and 5/4 #1C listings edge up, while all the kiln dried figures remain intact.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Sales of solid hardwood framestock are slow. Upholstered furniture manufacturers are experiencing weaker than normal business this fall, and furniture frame material has increasingly moved toward sheet stock rather than solid wood. Decreases made last week have the Oak and Mixed Species framestock ranges in order.

Hardwood sawmill production is historically low this year, so less pallet material is being produced. However, softwoods continue to gain market share at the expense of hardwoods. Compounding market competition from softwoods is the broad use of recycled pallets, which is detracting from new pallet sales and construction. The supply/demand balance for pallet cants and lumber is tilting toward extra supply. Cant prices are edging down but are still well represented by the listing and range.

Demand for 7x9 crossties is holding up better than for grade lumber and other industrial items. Sawmills are no longer able to ship ties without volume restrictions, but most have orders for decent quantities. Reported prices are consistent with last week.

Reports about board road business vary, but sales are slow for most producers in this region. Prices are grouped around the listing or within the range.

International Comments

GENERAL

Please see our graphs.