Forecasting is not an absolute exact science, but it provides a general expectation of future growth scenarios based on assumptions. Accessing two, five and 15-year forecasts by region and grade enables parties to plan around market changes. At Fastmarkets, our macroeconomic forecasts serve as a foundation for various forestry product forecasts, such as pulp, packaging, […]

Malaysia’s palm oil exports during March 1-15 totalled 381,790 tonnes compared with 422,425 tonnes the preceding month due to lower purchases from key destination markets, according to figures from cargo surveyor Intertek Testing Services (ITS).The figure excludes shipments of soft oils, coconut oils and used cooking oil (UCO), with the volume down by 10%, or […]

French shipping giant CMA CGM Group’s plan to invest $20 billion in maritime transportation, logistics and supply chains in the US over the next four years signals the start of a turnaround for US shipbuilding and will increase demand for steel plate by as much as an estimated $2 billion over the term of the investment, according to market participants.

Markets thrive when they are informed and have a measure of certainty that includes benchmarks on which they can rely. Biodiesel producers in the US have been lacking this certainty, and a majority of their production capacity remains idled as a result. A Fastmarkets biodiesel production survey under way in the week ending Friday, March […]

Timber prices continue to remain subdued by our estimates. Log demand and prices have declined in most major North American producing regions as the US housing market throttled back and mills were temporarily shut or reduced shifts. Timber prices are influenced by many factors, one of which is lumber prices. In the US, roughly 70% […]

Market participants are reporting significant disruption in shipping containers of metal scrap