Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from Apr. 25, 2025

The US exported 97.2 MMBF of hardwood lumber in February, the lowest volume for any February in 13 years. It marked the fourth time in five months that exports were below the 100 MMBF threshold. Notably, year to date shipments to China were down 14% through February, which was well before the outbreak of the US-China trade war. Detailed data on exports can be found on pages 5 and 17.

ASH

Overall exports of Ash have slowed dramatically, as shipments to China have essentially stopped. Companies are seeking alternative destinations for kiln dried stock that had been slated for China, but there are few other volume markets for this species. Despite these circumstances, reported prices for kiln dried 8/4 Fas continue to advance, lifting the listings and ranges. Conversely, the 8/4 #1C listings lose ground. The market for green Ash is much quieter now that many concentration yards have slowed or stopped purchases amid the collapse in Chinese business. Prices are starting to slip, as reflected in decreases to the 4/4 Fas&1f and #2A listings.

BASSWOOD

BEECH

CHERRY

China’s 125% retaliatory tariff on imports from the US is crippling Cherry business, as this species is out of favor in almost all other domestic and international markets. Companies throughout the supply chain are responding by halting Cherry production, purchasing, and processing, to the extent possible. Even so, supply is pushing ahead of demand. Prices are not yet broadly affected, though there were far fewer reported transactions this week. The green listings remain intact. For kiln dried Cherry, only the Appalachian 4/4 #1C and 4/4 #2A figures fall back.

HICKORY

Some sawmill operators report little difficulty moving this species, while others are struggling to find sufficient outlets for developing green production. Pricing is similarly mixed. The 4/4 #2B&Btr listings decline on lower reported prices. The 5/4 through 8/4 #2B&Btr listings remain intact. This week brought greatly reduced Hickory shipments to China, and kiln dried business is lackluster elsewhere. Information necessitates reductions to the 4/4 #1C listings and the low ends of the 4/4 Fas and #1C ranges.

HARD MAPLE

Production of green Hard Maple trended higher this week, for a couple of reasons. First is the seasonal practice of sawing whitewood logs quickly to prevent stain damage. Second is the effort by sawmills to control production of China-centric species. Mills are selling the added production with little or no difficulty, and prices are holding at or near the respective green listings. Market conditions for kiln dried Hard Maple are similarly favorable. Prices for most items have plateaued, at least for now. Only the #1&2 White and Unselected 5/4 #1C&Btr listings and ranges and #1&2 White 4/4 Fas high end range figures notch gains in this issue.

SOFT MAPLE

Sawmill operators have ample orders for developing green Soft Maple production but indicate that market strength varies by grade and color selection. Fas&1f is moving best, followed closely by #1C, with #2A far behind. Sap&Btr items are drawing more interest than Unselected. Previous increases have most of the listings in order, with only the Unselected 4/4 through 8/4 #1C figures climbing this week. Sales contacts report brisk kiln dried Fas business and decent demand for #1C; #2A is moving slowly. The 5/4 and 6/4 #2A listings and ranges in both color classifications are reduced to better align with reported pricing.

#2&3A OAK

Truck trailer flooring manufacturers continue to ramp up lumber purchases. Residential wood flooring producers have become more aggressive with lumber purchases, as well, in efforts to bolster inventories. Prices for #2A&3A and #2A Alone Red Oak have an upward bias, but no additional changes are warranted following last week’s increases. Reported prices for #2A&3A White Oak are mostly grouped around the listings.

RED OAK

Many Chinese buyers realigned Red Oak purchases to the Appalachian and Northern regions of the US in the last few years. As such, the trade war between the US and China is decimating Red Oak exports from these areas. US sales companies have been forced to redirect shipments in transit to China to other destinations, which makes prices for this material vulnerable. Many more loads that were committed to sale to Chinese customers are on hold in US warehouses until replacement orders are booked with other customers. Sellers are generating additional orders with domestic customers, but not enough to offset lost Chinese business. Kiln dried prices are described as fluid because of this reason, though Red Oak supplies are not excessive at this point. Information holds most of the published figures in place this week. The only changes are increases to the 5/4 Fas listings and decreases to the low ends of the 4/4 and 5/4 #2A ranges. A number of concentration yards have stepped back from purchasing this and other China market dependent species. Other buyers have edged green Red Oak purchase volumes and prices lower. Reported prices for green #1C&Btr Red Oak have transitioned from firm to flat or soft, with reductions noted. However, the listings accurately reflect most of the pricing information received this week. Prices for #2A&3A remain firm but are also in line with the listings.

WHITE OAK

This species remains popular in a broad range of markets. This market diversity is preventing a steep downturn in business as shipments to China dwindle. Export sales are down but not to the same degree as Red Oak and other species reliant upon China. Up to this point, the main impact has been a reversal in #1C and #2A price momentum. The 5/4 #1C, 6/4 #1C, and 5/4 #2A listings and noted ranges are lowered. The 8/4 Fas listings also retreat. Green White Oak is still moving well in most grades and thicknesses, although prices for #1C&Btr are easing. The 4/4 Fas&1f and 5/4 through 8/4 #1C listings are reduced.

POPLAR

Demand for green Poplar is quite strong. Mills and yards are looking to dry more Poplar in place of species heavily tied to China. Higher reported prices lift the #2A&Btr listings in all published thicknesses. Brisk kiln dried Poplar business in the US is mitigating almost all the impact of reduced exports to China, keeping supplies lean for most items. Prices are level to somewhat higher. The listings and most range numbers advance for 4/4 #1C and #2A, 5/4 #2A&Btr, 6/4 Fas, and 8/4 Fas.

WALNUT

Domestic markets for Walnut are performing fairly well, as are some secondary export markets. However, shipments to China are virtually at a standstill, and companies involved in producing, drying, or exporting Walnut are struggling to adjust. Exporters are redirecting some containers elsewhere. However, other markets are unable to absorb the quantities that had been going to China. Therefore, concentration yards are curtailing green Walnut purchases, and sawmills are responding by cutting production. Reported green prices are down across the board, necessitating reductions to all the listings. For kiln dried Walnut, the top sides of the 8/4 Fas ranges are raised, with no other changes warranted at this time.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Upholstered furniture plants are buying solid hardwood framestock sparingly, if at all. Still, supplies are not overwhelming because few companies are accumulating framestock to sell. Reported Oak and Mixed Species prices are flat.

Market conditions for pallet cants vary across the region but are positive overall. Most mills are moving their cant output with relative ease at prices well represented by the listing and range.

Many treaters are flush with 7x9 crossties, but few are reducing purchases to any great extent due to the fragile state of the sawmill sector. Prices are holding at previously reported levels.

Board road is moving at a fair pace for Southern producers but remains relatively slow for those in the Appalachian region. Prices are holding at the listing or inside the range.

International Comments

GENERAL

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