Stora Enso announced that an environmental violation that was discovered at a Stora Enso harvesting site on August 15th in Kainuu, Finland. The violation is being investigated as a serious nature conservation crime.
Wood Markets News
The Conference Board US Consumer Confidence Index Increases in August
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® increased to a reading of 103.3 in August, up from a revised reading of 101.9 in July.
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index Reports 5.4% Annual Home Price Gain in June
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller US National Home Price NSA Index posted an annual gain of 5.4% in June, down from a 5.9% in May.
Exports of Southern Pine Lumber Up 20% Year-Over-Year in First Half of 2024
Exports of Southern pine lumber (both treated and untreated) are running 20% ahead of 2023 through the first half of 2024, the USDA and SFPA reported.
Eastern Oregon’s Prairie Wood Products Mill to Resume Operations in September
Elkhorn Media Group reported that the Prairie Wood Products mill in Prairie City, Oregon, is scheduled to reopen in sometime in September.
Southern Pine Beetle Infestation Reaches “Epidemic” Level in Alabama
A destructive insect capable of devastating timber harvests is at “epidemic” level in Alabama, with the state’s forest management agency saying the problem is the worst it’s been in more than 20 years, AL.com reported.
BNSF, CSX, and NS Railways Reach Collective Bargaining Agreements With Several Unions Just Four Months Before Next Round
BNSF and NS announced that they have reached tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with several unions, Progressive Railroading reported.
BLS Indicates US Construction Labor Market Not as Strong as Originally Estimated
For the 12-month period through March, construction employment was revised down by 45,000, 0.6% less than the initially reported, the BLS and NAHB reported.
Australian Companies Pursuing Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub to Utilize Engineered Soft and Hardwood Products
Three Australian forestry companies to develop a hardwood timber manufacturing hub that could utilize engineered soft and hardwood products, @AuManufacturing reported.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update as of August 26th
As of Monday, 54 large active wildfires are being managed with full suppression strategies nationwide. Current wildfires have burned 2,061,572 acres.