The Wood and Fiber Supply Chain Experts
Market Trends in the Pacific Northwest
From the January 2010
Forest2Mill newsletter.
By: Gordon Culbertson
The upward trend for Douglas fir and hem/fir log prices delivered to
western Oregon mills subsided in November, after four months of increases. Most species and grades
were flat or showed a decline. Western Washington prices increased 5-10 percent, but still trail
Oregon prices overall.
Deliveries of logs are expected to be very slow over the next several months, as timber
owners await higher prices before they resume normal harvest levels.
Western red cedar prices flagged again for November showing a mostly downward trend with the
notable exception of larger diameter Westside logs.
Wood chip prices remained flat during November. The announced permanent closure of two large
pulp and paper mills in opposite ends of the region combined with the December expiration of the
black liquor credit will create local surpluses in chip supply.
For more information on the Delivered Price Benchmark Service covering the Pacific Northwest
visit
www.forest2market.com/pnw-benchmark
or call Gordon Culbertson at (541) 302-8010.