Southern Comments

GENERAL

Comments from April 3, 2026.

Dozens of sawmill operators, tie buyers, and other market participants descended on Natchez, Mississippi, for the annual Southwestern Hardwood Manufacturers Club Crawfish Boil last weekend.

While the Friday night crawfish boil was much enjoyed—one contact reported 400 pounds of crawfish were eaten—the interesting industry action occurred the following day in a typically lively roundtable. The main talking points were the continuing impact of the crosstie downtown, exports of logs to Southeast Asia, and declining consumption of solid hardwood flooring.

Grumbles about crosstie prices were common, with tie buyers having to grin and bear it. On their side, tie buyers noted a shortage of long switch ties, though sawmillers pointed out that longer switch tie specs were hard to hit, allowing relatively few area operators to produce them. A handful of sawmills reporting increased interest in grade lumber did offer a positive perspective, but one industry veteran who attended said the overall mood was more apprehensive.

“If you’re not zeroed in on an industrial product right now, things might be really difficult,” he said. “We sure could all use some more business right now.”

ASH

Warm weather continues in the South as spring begins in earnest, meaning lowland logging continues uninterrupted for species like Ash. Still, supply has not overwhelmed green Ash markets, and all published prices remain untouched. On the kiln dried side, the only changes are increases to the list prices for 4/4 Fas. The bump is attributed to improved interest from China.