National Hardwood Magazine - February 2022

CANADIAN TRENDS News

CANADIAN TRENDS News from suppliers about prices, trends, sales and inventories ONTARIO Even though the past 14 months continued to be a challenge for the Hardwood sector, businesses continued to provide goods and services to its customers both to domestic and international markets, showing its resiliency in spite of the global pandemic. With the expectation that the housing sector will continue to be strong both in the U.S. and Canada, housing expenditures hit new record highs in 2021. This will continue to drive the strong demand for Hardwood products and lumber. It is predicted world economies will gain more traction in 2022, which could boost Hardwood lumber sales as well. The need for railroad ties are also expected to increase this year. Aspen demand for most grades is good noted contacts. No. 1 Common and Better is selling well to interior finished goods manufacturers, and the lower grades are going to pallet producers. They add that kiln-dried inventories are low relative to market demand. As for Ash production, it is not high but edged up the last couple of months of 2021. With the rise in green lumber output, kiln-dried availability had improved, although demand had not been as strong as earlier in the year. Basswood customers were left scrambling for developing supplies as production was not very high in 2021 for this species. This was due to mills focusing on higher valued species. Kiln-dried stock demand was reported as solid, with low inventories relative to needs. Hard Maple has been a consistent strong seller throughout 2021, driven by the North American housing markets. Green Hard Maple output did not reach its full capacity. It was expected that it would improve early in 2022 as better logging conditions were expected with ground freezing, and manufacturers, wholesalers and QUEBEC Heading into 2022, contacts are optimistic business will continue normally despite the Omicron variant spreading quickly across the country, and as new provincial restrictions are put in place to fight this 4th wave of COVID-19. Several contacts noted in some areas green Red Oak production had increased, but supplies were not exactly flooding the market. As is habit, whitewood output replaced some of the Oak production going from fall to winter. Kiln-dried inventories are meeting demand. Pricing is softer for many grades and thicknesses. It was noted that White Oak production had increased in the second half of 2021. While developing green lumber supplies were not excessive, additional volume had helped to stabilize prices for most grades and thicknesses. Domestic markets for Ash are performing well, and also in the U.S. border states. There is demand from the recreational vehicle sector for this species as that industry is reportedly booming, which is offsetting export sales that are down. Basswood supplies are not sufficient to meet demand due to end users’ demand and mills prioritizing higher valued species in their cutting schedules. The regionally important species, Hard Maple, is seeing solid demand, especially for Nos. 1 and 2 White and No. 1 Common and Better. Supplies are only marginally adequate as sawmills are struggling with log shortages. Soft Maple market demand has been building and is strong. Wood component manufacturers and cabinet producers are actively purchasing this species to shore up their supplies. Demand is also good from furniture manufacturers and wholesalers. According to comments, the furniture and cabinet Please turn to page 49 Please turn to page 50 8 FEBRUARY 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

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