Masisa S.A., a wood products company headquartered in Chile, announced on December 29, 2022, that it had liquidated all of its assets in Argentina and was immediately ceasing all of its operations there. Masisa S.A. indicated the liquidation was part of its strategic plan.
Wood Markets News
US Wood Pellet Exports Declined Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in November 2022
According to data released on Thursday by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the US exported 694,199.7 metric tons of wood pellets in November. This is down from 750,989.2 metric tons in October and down year-over-year from 764,259.6 metric tons in November 2021.
Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index® Posts Modest Gain in December
Fannie Mae on Monday reported its Home Purchase Sentiment Index® for December had increased 3.7 points to a reading of 61.0. The index, however, remains only slight above its all-time record low, which was set in October 2022.
Mortgage Credit Availability Decreased in December
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) report, which analyzes data from the ICE Mortgage Technology, mortgage credit availability decreased in December. The index has declined in nine out of the past ten months.
Anthony Timberlands to Pause Production at Its Malvern Sawmill Facility for a Month
Steven Anthony, President of Anthony Timberlands, announced that effective Saturday, its sawmill operation located in Malvern, Arkansas, will pause for one month. Lumber inventory levels will be drawn down at the facility’s planner mill, at which point it too will pause operations.
Vaagen Fiber Canada Announces Indefinite Shutdown of Its Midway, BC, Sawmill Facility
Vaagen Fiber Canada, a family-owned sawmill located in Midway, BC, announced on Saturday that it was indefinitely shutting down its facility due to a lack of logs. The closure will impact 85 workers, as well as approximately 100 vendors, suppliers, and contractors.
Canadian Building Permits Increase 14.1% in Total Value in November
Statistics Canada reported today that the total value of building permits in Canada jumped 14.1% in November to $11.0 billion (CAD), ending two consecutive months of declines. On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), the total value of building permits rose 12.3%.
New Zealand Farmers Push Back Against Afforestation Plans
A group of New Zealand farmers is trying to raise $45 million (NZD) (£25m) to purchase a large North Island farm, or station, from being purchased by overseas investors to prevent it from potentially being turned into a carbon forest. The 5000ha Mangaohane Station is a livestock farm.
World’s First 3D-Printed House Completed in Maine
The world’s first 3D-printed house—made entirely with bio-based materials such as wood flour, or fine sawdust, mixed with a binder made from corn—has come to life thanks to the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), which spearheaded building BioHome3D in Orono, Maine.
US Freight Railroad and Intermodal Usage Slips in 2022
According to data released by the Association of American Railroads on Thursday, the US operations of freight railroads handled 25.4 million carloads and intermodal units in 2022. This is down 2.8% from 2021.