Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) is moving to the beat of its own drum. While lumber markets have historically moved in tandem, recent data shows SYP prices are decoupling from other species like Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF). In a post-pandemic market, the correlation between SYP and SPF has plummeted from over 80% to nearly zero. This fundamental shift underscores the growing need for a dedicated hedging tool for the world's fastest-growing lumber market.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the US housing market, recent trends reveal a complex interplay between lumber prices, construction activity and broader economic indicators

What factors are driving the significant downturn in US housing starts, accompanied by a decrease in building permits?

Explore the current shifts in the US pallet market, driven by tariffs, imports and changes in shipping volumes.

The growth is largely expected to be driven by stricter environmental regulations, increasing pressure from consumers and investors for sustainable products, and the region's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, according to sources.

The European steel and aluminium scrap industries urged the European Commission on Wednesday January 15 against taking action to curb scrap exports after domestic industry metals producers backed measures to do just that.

Renewed US-China trade tensions with Donald Trump’s second presidential term could bolster Southeast Asia’s aluminium scrap industry in 2025, particularly amid still-growing Chinese demand, sources told Fastmarkets by Tuesday, January 14.

Read more about how we expect a modest increase in 2025 levels of global crude steel production over 2024.

Read more about the highlights from Fastmarkets’ annual Middle East Iron and Steel conference, which was held on 18-20 November in Dubai.

Watch this interview with Fastmarkets' in-house expert, Jennifer Coskren, director of wood products and timber, to learn more about the state of the US housing market and a look ahead to 2025.