Wood Markets News


U.S. Nonfarm Payroll Increases by 210,000 in November, Unemployment Declines to 4.2%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today (12-3-21) that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 210,000 in November. This growth follows increases of 531,000 in October, 194,000 in September, 235,000 in August, 1.1 million in July, and 962,000 in June. Nonfarm payroll employment has increased by 18.5 million since April 2020 but is down by -3.9 million.

Indigenous Leaders and Experts in B.C. Present their Concerns Regarding Old-Growth Deferred Logging

While emphasizing the importance of preserving at-risk ecosystems, indigenous leaders and experts in British Columbia presented their concerns on Wednesday (12-1-21) over the B.C. provincial government’s process to defer logging in old-growth forests. On November 2, 2021, the province announced that an independent panel of scientific experts had mapped out 26,000 square kilometers of old-growth forests at risk of permanent biodiversity loss.

Södra Wood Announces Temporary Production Adjustment in December

Södra Wood will be making a temporary adjustment of production to achieve a balance between production and customer needs. In December, sawn timber production will be reduced by 60,000 m³. In a statement prepared to accompany the production adjustment, Peter Jhaveri, President of the Södra Wood said, “Production will be adjusted to achieve a balance between production and customer needs.”

Challenger Reports U.S. Job Cuts Declined in November to their Lowest Monthly Total Since May 1993

According to the latest released Job Cut Report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas (CG&C), Inc, a global outplacement and business and executive coaching firm, U.S. based employers announced job cuts fell by -34.8% in November to 14,875 from 22,822 in October. This is the lowest monthly total since May 1993, when 14,086 were reported. November’s total is -77% lower year-over-year (Nov. 2021 vs. Nov. 2020), when 64,797 cuts were announced.

Weekly Jobless Claims Increase in the Week Ending November 27, 2021

The U.S. Department of Labor is reporting that an additional 222,000 Americans made their initial filing for unemployment benefits during the week ending on Saturday, November 27, 2021. This is an increase of 28,000 from the previous week’s revised level. The 4-week moving average was 238,750 — a decrease of 12,250 from the previous week’s revised average.

NDP Pushes B.C. Forestry Industry Remake Through Legislature Over Objections from Other Parties

Over the objections of B.C.’s Liberal and Green party members, the NDP used its majority to cut off debate on two major bills to remake B.C.’s forest industry. The two bills in question are a 160-page set of amendments that gives cabinet the authority to change or end timber licenses, determine what compensation may be paid to forest companies, and redistribute Crown logging rights to community and Indigenous land title holders.