National Hardwood Magazine - July 2011

NORTHEAST TRENDS - Continued
Also indicating improved interest in Ash, he said pricing for No. 2C
and Better is firm. “Some mills are working from an inventory deficit
and processing whatever species are available. But we have also seen
an improved interest in this specie from our international markets.”
Opposite from others he said activity in whitewoods is limited for his
operation. “Low log decks have impacted production of Soft Maple in
particular,” he explained. “Kiln dried inventories have lowered over
time and buyers continue to purchase just what they need.”
Going forward the contact expects moderate improvements. “We’ve
received more inquiries now that warmer weather is here. If it continues,
we’ll see some gradual improvements.”
•
QUEBEC TRENDS - Continued from page 7
lion-square-kilometer region.
The anticipated returns are expected to be huge, with the creation of
some 20,000 jobs a year, generating $162 billion in growth of the province’s
gross domestic product and $14 billion in tax revenues.
As part of its first five-year phase of development will be the investment
of close to $400 million for housing, health, education, culture and costof-living
offsets for northern communities. The plan includes the
construction of 840 new houses and refurbishing another 480 in Inuit
communities where there is an acute shortage of adequate housing.
The plan does not yet detail which tracts of the territory will be left
undisturbed by development; the government has promised half the land
will be preserved in its virgin state. The challenge will be to balance and
satisfy the interests involved – those of the entrepreneurs, the aboriginal
residents of the region and the environment.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced the
seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts was 179,000 units in
April, down from 184,700 units in March 2011.
“Housing starts moved lower in April mostly because of decreases in
multiple construction across the country and in rural starts,” said the
Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Center. “The multiple segment
market in Ontario and Quebec contributed the most to the overall
decline in Canada.”
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased by 1.9percent
to 160,100 units in April. Urban multiple starts were down by
5.1percent in April to 96,000 units, while single urban starts increased
by 3.4percent to 64,100 units.
April’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased by
9.4percent in Quebec and by 8.0percent in Ontario.
According to reports, Canadian consumers are tightening their belts
wanting to paydown their debts, even as their American counterparts are
moving in the opposite direction.
According to recent statistical reports, Canadians are reining in their
shopping habits as a result of the recession, and are bargain hunting and
buying fewer non-essentials, even though they feel relatively optimistic
about the economy’s future. Americans, on the other hand are more
confident about spending, but are more pessimistic about the fate of the
economy. The reasons Canadians are tightening their belts are due to
rising food costs, higher fuel prices which have risen in the past 3
months, and rising inflation rates, and the prospect of an interest rate hike
looming over the summer, are causing them to scale back.
Please turn the page
We enjoy providing fine
Appalachian lumber to customers
that demand the best.
We have experienced people
in every facet of our operation
that want to provide you
with quality lumber.
A view of some of
our lumber air drying in our shed.
3530 Jonathan Creek Road
Waynesville, North Carolina 28785 U.S.A.
Tel: (828) 926-1621 Fax: (828) 926-3383
E-Mail: mail@oaksunlimited.com
Website: www.oaksunlimited.com
Contact: Joe Pryor, Mark Taylor
or our other salesmen
White Oak • Red Oak
Yellow Poplar • Cherry
JULY/2011 51