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Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from July 31, 2026

Information shows there is business occurring between hardwood producers and long-term customers. However, the rate of activity is reduced for some species compared with prior months. Secondary manufacturers that purchased heavily in spring, anticipating seasonally elevated summertime sales, are in inventory maintenance rather than replenishment mode, citing ongoing economic uncertainty and the impacts of the US war against Iran on fuel costs. One exporter reports that inland freight costs to get containers to ports have risen roughly one dollar per mile since early June.

Contacts report level-to-slightly-lower log supplies and fair-to-slower green lumber sales, while kiln dried sales reports vary. An exporting sawmill operator said customers are balking at paying market prices, which he described as “break-even prices” that result in razor-thin to no profits. “Nothing is great for us, but nothing is horrible either,” said a yard sales manager. Demand is healthy for Hickory and Ash, but their share of total production is relatively small. Sales of hardwood cants remain brisk, and prices are holding steady, even as some mills are producing two cants from many logs, attempting to reduce common-grade lumber output, especially for Poplar and Soft Maple.

ASH

To the extent log supplies allow, mills are processing this species in a timely manner to avoid stain during the warmest months. Demand is sufficient to readily absorb all production. Green prices are largely unchanged from last week. However, reported kiln dried 5/4 and 6/4 Fas prices show upward momentum that lifts the listings and ranges.

BASSWOOD

Basswood isn’t heavily sawn in the Appalachian region because several of the largest end users are in the North, and they can procure needed volumes without incurring the higher freight charges that result from longer hauls. Exports are also limited. Supply and demand are closely balanced, allowing all published prices to stand.

BEECH

CHERRY

North American demand for Cherry is quite low because consumers don’t favor furniture, cabinetry, and moulding with red appearances. Exporters with established Cherry customers in China are landing orders, but volumes are low compared to winter, spring, and early June. Accordingly, yards have become less aggressive with green purchasing, although Cherry still rates as some sellers’ best-moving species. All the green listings are in order. However, slower demand from China is evident in reported North Central prices. Information lowers the listings and most range numbers for 5/4 Fas and 5/4 through 8/4 #1C.

HICKORY

Decent demand combined with Hickory’s low share of sawmill production has pushed green prices higher of late, especially for #1C and #2A. Gains in prior weeks are sufficient to keep the listings intact in this edition. Drying operations are experiencing decent sales at higher prices. The kiln dried 4/4 #2A&Btr listings and noted ranges are raised.

HARD MAPLE

Sawmills are limiting production of this species due to tepid demand and to avoid stain. Despite production curtailments, green supplies are ample and prices are down, necessitating decreases to the 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f and 4/4 #2A listings in both color classifications. Markets for kiln dried Hard Maple are also lackluster. Information gathered this week prompts reductions to the 4/4 and 5/4 Fas listings and noted range figures in each color designation.

SOFT MAPLE

Markets for Sap&Btr and Unselected Soft Maple are not performing well, especially for the upper grades, having downshifted quickly in summer following a good spring. The downward trend in reported green prices continues this week, lowering the listings for 4/4 Fas&1f in each color classification; the Unselected 4/4 #1C listing also falls back. Some mills are double canting Soft Maple logs, reducing the amount of #2A lumber on the market. Kiln dried 4/4 and 5/4 Fas are not performing well; downward price pressure decreases the listings and noted ranges in both color selections. In contrast, energy for brown Soft Maple continues, with some sellers describing it among their best-moving items.

#2&3A OAK

Some residential flooring manufacturers are raising Oak flooring output to match increased demand for finished goods and increasing #2A&3A Oak lumber purchases accordingly, often being more assertive with Red Oak than White Oak procurement. Other plants are holding both their purchasing volume and species mix steady. Demand from the truck trailer flooring sector for #2A&3A Oak has increased of late. New trailer builds rose 6% in June from May, but year-to-date production through June was down 0.5%. This is according to FTR Transportation Intelligence, which stated, “The market remains in a selective, replacement-driven recovery rather than a broad capacity expansion cycle.” All the #2A&3A and #2A Alone Oak listings hold steady again this week.

RED OAK

While not all exporters are experiencing a slowdown, the overall volume of Red Oak orders placed by Chinese buyers has contracted in recent weeks, bringing price pressure. Kiln dried Fas is appearing more often among sellers’ worst-moving Red Oak items, flipping the script from winter and spring. Domestic sales are fair, but European demand is seasonally slow amid the region’s vacation season. Those factors leave sellers with little leverage over buyers unless production is reduced. However, since mills are avoiding the Maples, Red Oak production tends to be the fallback. The listings for green 4/4 and 6/4 Fas&1f are reduced, while dry-side changes lift the noted low-end range figures.

WHITE OAK

The lack of change in the White Oak price matrices is notable this week, considering the magnitude and duration of the supply-driven downward price trends over the last two years. White Oak continues to move well—and has all year—due to its broad global appeal. Supply and demand are in relative balance, at least for now, holding all green and kiln dried figures steady.

POPLAR

Survey respondents indicate green Poplar is adequately to slightly oversupplied compared to the market’s needs. Green production is moving, but certain yards are only purchasing Fas&1f in 8-foot and 16-foot lengths. As with Soft Maple, sawmills are double canting Poplar logs, with prices better for cants than for #2A lumber. Despite that, supplies of green 4/4 #2A Poplar exceed demand, and the listing is lowered. Mills and yards lament what they describe as low kiln dried #1C and #2A Poplar sales prices to Vietnam. Despite efforts to avoid shipping there, some contacts state it is necessary to keep inventories in check. Information warrants no changes to any kiln dried figures this week, despite comments having a dour tone.

WALNUT

Sawmill and concentration yard contacts describe domestic demand for Walnut as okay and exports as slower. Overall, demand remains higher for the common grades than for uppers. Contacts hoped falling oil prices would spur stronger exports, but oil prices recently topped $100 per barrel due to escalation of the US war against Iran. Markets for green 8/4 Fas&1f Walnut are competitive, and the listings are reduced. All other green and all kiln dried figures are unchanged.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Upholstered furniture makers are purchasing slightly more framestock because tariffs and elevated freight rates have reduced the cost advantages of purchasing foreign-made plywood. Overall framestock activity is still limited, however, and prices are generally contained within the Oak and Mixed Species ranges.

Pallet manufacturers’ reports about hardwood cant and lumber inventories vary, but none are inundated with pallets. The cant listing and range accurately reflect reported prices.

Tie treaters are controlling receipts because 7x9 crosstie inventories remain elevated. Reported crosstie prices are unchanged, keeping the Northern Appalachian and Southern Appalachian ranges steady.

Board road business hasn’t changed much from winter to spring to summer. Reported prices are in line with prior weeks.

International Comments

GENERAL

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