At the end of November, Western S-P-F demand was variable according to traders in the United States. Once-in-a-century flooding in the Pacific Northwest caused uncertainty to pervade the market as the week wore on.
Some buyers busily scrambled to find wood amid the ensuing logistical chaos, while others cautiously sat on their inventories, hoping to eke out a quieter path to the New Year.
Demand for solid wood commodities jumped noticeably around midweek after severe flooding struck the Southwestern region of British Columbia, cutting off the port city of Vancouver from the rest of mainland Canada. Following the declaration of a state of emergency for the province, evacuation orders were issued for several towns.
Many buyers turned on a dime, eschewing their watch-and-wait strategies for a more aggressive approach as they considered the logistical implications of this catastrophe. Producers in BC reeled, extending order files into early- or mid-December and informing their customers that indeterminate shipping delays were likely given the scenario.
Some Eastern Canadian sawmills took a defensive posture and boosted their asking prices in view of upcoming tariff increases, while others jumped into the fray with lower pricing to keep inventories in their yards lean. Secondary suppliers were busy again too, especially those who could offer quick shipment. Producers got more inquiry as the week wore on.