September 14, 2020 I do not think anyone could have predicted a surging wood products market after the COVID crisis wrecked our nation’s economy. But that is what we are currently experiencing; a perfect storm has emerged. This is leading to wood product shortages across the...
August 10, 2020 It is amazing the difference that two months can make. Our markets are in a dramatically different place than early May, when COVID restrictions forced us to take a week down at most of our operations. Prior to our May shutdown, we were...
July 13, 2020 As states have opened after COVID-19 shutdowns, we have seen a rebound in plywood demand and significant improvement in wood product markets. ½” 4-ply sheathing is up 65% from market lows, reaching $530 last week in the Random Lengths panel report. Our plywood...
June 8, 2020 Plywood price increases have been significant and sustained over the last 4 weeks. Half inch 4-ply CDX plywood started May at a low of $358 due to COVID-19. We have seen plywood prices increase to over $450 in the space of 4 weeks....
May 8, 2020 We are now in the middle of a one-week shutdown as we match our plywood production levels to the sales that are available in the marketplace. COVID- 19 and the subsequent shutdown of economies around the world have wreaked havoc on wood products...
April 13, 2020 What a difference a month makes. Housing data released for February showed that housing starts hit 1.60 million units, a 39% increase from last year. Demand for shelter was improving dramatically and so was pressure on the existing housing inventory. February projections by...
March 9, 2020 2020 is shaping up much better than 2019, cross your fingers that it continues! Recent improvements in plywood markets have continued. Prices began the year at $323 for our bench-mark product ½” 4-ply CDX and is now $462, a 43% increase in two...
February 10, 2020 Housing formations continue to outpace housing starts. On a macro-economic level, this means that demand for housing continues to exceed the available housing inventories. For those looking for housing this means that housing prices and rents continue to rise and will most likely...
January 13, 2020 The New Year has shown little improvement in the plywood market since December. Plywood sales are still lackluster. It leaves one wondering where the market disappeared to. Have imports and increased OSB capacity really killed off a healthy panel market? Are housing starts...
November 11, 2019 With plywood panels expected to stabilize at current levels and veneer sales showing recent improvement, Freres continues investments in new products. Plywood, Veneer Markets Recent industry data is reflecting what we have all been feeling for the last year. When interest rates spiked mid-2018, the...