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In today’s fast-paced North American wood products market, staying informed is not just an option, it’s a necessity. With Fastmarkets’ Random Lengths Weekly Report, all traders, buyers, producers and sellers have a powerful tool at their fingertips. Now you can sample the report for free.
This comprehensive weekly newsletter offers in-depth coverage for over 1,600 items of softwood lumber, wood panels and other wood products across North America. Below is a sample of one of the key headlines from the free sample available to you from October 2023.
Oriented strand board price correction pulls buyers off the sidelines The adjustment in the price of OSB (oriented strand board) recently prompted potential buyers to take action. Over the past several months, the cost of 7/16-inch OSB has been fluctuating between $300 and $500 in most North American production zones. If we exclude the extreme prices during the pandemic, these rates would set a new record, with data going back for decades. Due to these high prices, many retailers and distributors showed reluctance towards buying more than their immediate needs. It was therefore significant when there was a sudden upswing in sales in the week starting October 9, with mills reporting the highest volume of sales in several months. This was also the week when sheathing prices fell below $300 in many areas, prompting numerous buyers to make a purchase. As one buyer for a co-op explained, “The surge in business was due to the price drop. Our dealers were holding off until prices fell below $300. Also, they couldn’t wait any longer because inventories were so low. They figured the time was right.” This sudden rise in sales allowed manufacturers to recover from their lowest quotes, leading to a slight increase in prices over the following two weeks. As a distributor in Canada noted, “No one is saying it’s time to stock up for winter. That’s not happening, but the market did stabilize.” Even though the recent sales boost allowed most manufacturers to extend their order files into November, many buyers are still apprehensive about the ongoing economic challenges. As OSB demand is closely linked to new home construction, the increasing mortgage interest rates nearing 8% have left traders anxious about sales prospects for the rest of the fourth quarter and how supply and demand will balance out. As one buyer commented, “I see supplies being the key factor going through the rest of the fourth quarter.” Other Random Lengths sample highlights:
The adjustment in the price of OSB (oriented strand board) recently prompted potential buyers to take action. Over the past several months, the cost of 7/16-inch OSB has been fluctuating between $300 and $500 in most North American production zones. If we exclude the extreme prices during the pandemic, these rates would set a new record, with data going back for decades.
Due to these high prices, many retailers and distributors showed reluctance towards buying more than their immediate needs. It was therefore significant when there was a sudden upswing in sales in the week starting October 9, with mills reporting the highest volume of sales in several months.
This was also the week when sheathing prices fell below $300 in many areas, prompting numerous buyers to make a purchase. As one buyer for a co-op explained, “The surge in business was due to the price drop. Our dealers were holding off until prices fell below $300. Also, they couldn’t wait any longer because inventories were so low. They figured the time was right.”
This sudden rise in sales allowed manufacturers to recover from their lowest quotes, leading to a slight increase in prices over the following two weeks. As a distributor in Canada noted, “No one is saying it’s time to stock up for winter. That’s not happening, but the market did stabilize.”
Even though the recent sales boost allowed most manufacturers to extend their order files into November, many buyers are still apprehensive about the ongoing economic challenges.
As OSB demand is closely linked to new home construction, the increasing mortgage interest rates nearing 8% have left traders anxious about sales prospects for the rest of the fourth quarter and how supply and demand will balance out. As one buyer commented, “I see supplies being the key factor going through the rest of the fourth quarter.”
The report is more than just a list of prices. It’s a comprehensive, up to the minute, report designed to empower you with actionable insights. Here’s what full subscribers expect to receive on a weekly basis:
Our aim is to provide unbiased, consistent and timely reports of market activity and prices, related trends, issues and analyses. We want to ensure readers have all the information needed to anticipate any changes in the wood panel and lumber markets.
Once downloaded, the free sample of the newsletter will be delivered straight to your inbox.
Are you ready to stay ahead of the fast-moving wood products market? Download your free sample today. With of Fastmarkets’ Random Lengths Weekly Newsletter report you can be informed, prepared and primed for the risks and opportunities ahead.