Wood pellet plants have long relied on sawmill residue as their source of fiber. However, recent mill closures due to weak lumber prices and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with pests and wildfires have all negatively impacted pellet plants ability to source from their typical fiber sources.
Wood Markets News
Timber Products Company Acquires 20-Acre Facility in Thomson, Georgia for new Southeastern Hub
Timber Products Company has announced that they have recently acquired a 20-acre facility located in Thomson, Georgia, which will serve as the hub for TP Logistics for full 3PL service in the Southeastern United States.
The Province of Quebec, a World Leader in Mass Timber Technology and Construction
A resurgence in timber construction and engineered wood is now underway. Architects are inspired and enjoy the challenges of creating new and unique structures made of mass timbers and engineered wood.
Analysts Expect Lumber and Panel Pricing and Demand to Remain Strong for the next Several Years
Despite recent declines from record breaking high levels, forest product market experts anticipate prices for lumber and panels will remain strong throughout North America for the next several years. The demand for building products will be led by both new construction and home renovation as tight inventory and aging existing homes, along with low interest rates and untapped home equity.
European Lumber Exports Continue to Grow
European lumber exporters continue to expand their overseas sales markets. Growing them over the past ten years from 30% to 45% and with a fifth of total export production in 2020 going to Asia. Traditionally most of the shipments went to neighboring countries on the continent and about 20% being shipped to the Middle East\Northern Africa, the US and Japan.
The Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Drops to 5.92% in Weekending October 11th, 2020
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) latest Forbearance and Call Volume Survey, the total number of loans now in forbearance has decreased by 40 basis points from 6.32% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior week, to 5.92% in the week ending October 11th, 2020.
September 2020 Housing Starts & Permits Reported Higher
The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that privately‐owned housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1,415,000. This is 1.9% above the revised August estimate of 1,388,000 and is 11.1% above the September 2019 rate.
Builder Confidence Sets New Record High in October
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) /Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) indicates that builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes advanced 2-points in October, to a new all-time high reading of 85.
Boise Cascade Company Issues WARN Act Notice to Elgin Oregon Mill Employees
Boise Cascade Company (BCC) has issued a WARN Act notice to the employees at their Elgin Oregon facility, for the possible reduction of production effective January 1st, 2021.
Lot Values Decline for the First Time Since 2013
Analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) data, by the NAHB, reveals that the median single-family lot price declined in 2019, ending a climb that started in 2013. The median lot prices were $ 45,000, which is a drop of 9% since 2018, when half of the lots were selling at $49,500.