PRICES REFLECT June 19, 2015 ISSUE OF MADISON’S LUMBER REPORTER
Kiln-Dried Fir Whirlwind
Savvy wholesalers and distributers who loaded up on KD fir lumber when prices were down jumped for joy this week. The current scarcity of dry fir only seems to be worsening, and asking prices among both primary and secondary suppliers have increased by leaps and bounds accordingly. A sawmill in Shelton, WA, which accounted for a significant proportion of KD fir production has closed completely. Another mill in Tacoma, WA, recently acquired by Interfor, has just entered the second month of a projected two-month closure for upgrades. With so few producers of KD Doug fir, these closures have had a dramatic effect on supply. Add to that logging restrictions coming into effect in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California due to fire danger, and players expect overall supply of dry fir to drop further.
