Appalachian Comments

RED OAK

Recent improvements in kiln dried #1C&Btr Red Oak sales, especially to China, eroded inventories at concentration yards. Prices reported by sellers and buyers are mixed, though there is now more upward than downward movement. Only the 4/4 and 8/4 Fas listings and noted ranges warrant increases at this time. All the #2A figures are in order. With kiln dried #1C&Btr inventories shrinking, yards are looking to increase green purchases. However, many sawmills are unable to respond because they are low on or out of Red Oak logs. Reported prices lift the 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f and 4/4 #1C listings while leaving all the other listings intact.

WHITE OAK

According to most accounts, exports of this species remain slow. The UK and Germany – two of the largest European markets – are quiet. While Red Oak and Cherry shipments to China recently improved, White Oak shipments did not. More White Oak is moving to Vietnam, but not enough to offset slowness elsewhere. In North America, residential wood flooring and truck trailer flooring plants are consistently buying #2A&3A White Oak, but interest from other markets is limited. Even with these mostly unfavorable market conditions, supplies are contracting due to reduced sawmill production. As a result, kiln dried prices are stabilizing, and green prices are firm to higher. The kiln dried 4/4 #1C listings and ranges edge lower this week, while the green 5/4 and 6/4 Fas&1f listings advance.

WALNUT

Supply and demand for green Walnut are imbalanced. Concentration yards are trying to replenish depleted inventories. Meanwhile, sawmills have relatively few Walnut logs to saw, and some that have decent stockpiles are delaying cuts in the expectation of further price appreciation. Higher reported prices lift all the listings in this issue. Kiln dried Walnut business is showing gradual improvement. Pricing information is wide ranging, especially for Fas, though does not warrant any changes to the listings or ranges.