After eight weeks of incremental price decreases, the North American lumber market continues to struggle against inflationary pressures and high interest rates that are taking a toll on the housing market. Forest2Market’s SYP lumber price composite for the week ending October 14 was $477/MBF, a 20% decrease from just eight weeks prior.
Halt in Russian Exports, Reduced Demand in China Contributed to a 20% Decline in Global Softwood Log Trade
By: Håkan Ekström
Global trade of softwood logs plunged by 20% during the first half of 2022 year-over-year (YoY). Much of the decline was because of the Russian log export ban that came into effect on January 1, 2022. However, with weakening housing markets worldwide resulting in lower demand for lumber, other countries beyond Russia saw slowing exports of logs throughout the spring and early summer.
10 Interesting Facts about the Current State of the Pulp and Paper Industry
By: Marko Sumamnen
A heightened sense of uncertainty continues to plague various aspects of our lives as global geopolitical trade flows and economic structures remain stressed. As we continue to wonder what the market will look like in 2023, it’s first important to have a solid understanding of where the current global Pulp and Paper industry is now before aiming to predict where it will be in 6 months, a year, or longer.
Recycled Fiber 360: Accessible, Reliable Recycled Fiber Prices at Your Fingertips
By: Fisher International
Buyers and sellers of OCC and other recycled fiber products want reliable, actionable data. Fisher International and Forest2Market, two ResourceWise companies, have collaborated on a transaction-based recycled fiber price benchmark built specifically to help the industry reduce volatility and uncertainty – Recycled Fiber 360.
Forest Carbon Markets: Forests’ Role in Climate Change
By: Glen O'Kelly
Forest carbon markets are quickly evolving as the importance of forests in tackling climate change is increasingly recognized and rewarded – something we are pleased to see and are very excited about.
America’s Forests and Its Forest Products Can Store Carbon for Decades
By: John Greene
Interesting data via a new Southern Research Station study from the USFS shows that the wood used in our homes may be particularly important when it comes to storing carbon.
Tight Wood Fiber Supply Has Pushed Global Costs for Pulplogs and Wood Chips Up 10%
By: Håkan Ekström
Wood fiber prices continued their two-year upward trend in 2Q22, with hardwood increasing faster than softwood. These trends are reflected in WRI's two global wood fiber price indices (denominated in US dollars), which reached their highest levels since 2014 despite the strengthening of the US dollar against most other currencies.
Australian Wood Imports From Russia Collapsed in August
By: Tim Woods
Australia’s imports of wood products from Russia fell to its lowest monthly level in 28 months, valued at AUDFob1.185 million. The value of imports was 90% lower than in August 2021. Driven by Laminated Veneer Lumber, Russia’s shipments to Australia were in the midst of a boom before Putin’s war put paid to that.
Forest Resource Assessments Provide Project Confidence in Periods of Uncertainty
By: John Greene
Capital allocation decisions across the global forest products supply chain often take years of strategic planning. As forest industry demand trends and resource competition continue to accelerate and evolve, the only way to hedge against uncertainty with any degree of confidence is with reliable historical data, transaction-based raw material price forecasts, and the industry experience to connect the relevant dots and provide meaningful insights.
Housing Starts Plunge to Lowest Level in 19 Months
By: John Greene
After jumping 12% in August due in part to strong demand from the multi-family construction sector, US housing starts dipped by 8% in September to their lowest level since February 2021. Single-family building continues a precipitous month-over-month (MoM) drop; starts for this segment are down 27% over the last 10 months to their lowest level since June 2020.