We serve our clients by reporting accurate timber and timberland market data, as well as by providing analysis on current and historic trends and events.

     

    South-wide Stumpage Markets

    Timber prices generally decreased in the 3rd Quarter, as drier weather conditions alleviated supply constraints. Pulp markets weakened further this quarter, while wood products markets strengthened slightly - with structural panel prices increasing as much as 30% and lumber prices holding relatively steady.

    South-wide average stumpage prices decreased for four of the five major timber products in the 3rd Quarter. Only the South-wide average hardwood sawtimber price increased this quarter. This was in line with historic seasonal trends, as prices have decreased quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q) in the 3rd Quarter in seven of the last 10 years for pine sawtimber and eight of the last 10 years for pine pulpwood. Similarly, the increase in hardwood sawtimber price aligned with its seasonal norm, as prices have increased Q/Q in the 3rd Quarter in 23 of the last 25 years.

    Click here to view the 3Q2023 Bulletin

    Stumpage Prices & Publications

    South-wide Average Stumpage Prices

    • Available here (last updated Oct 6, 2023)

    State-wide Average Stumpage Prices

    • Available here (last updated Oct 6, 2023)

    Quarterly Report Distributions

     

    In the News 3Q2023

    Two pulp & paper mills are shutting down in the US South - Perry FL and N Charleston SC.

    Nationwide, there were roughly 558,000 acres of timberland sales through September, of which 515,000 were in the South.

    General economic conditions were relatively strong in the 3rd Quarter. Inflation, while still a factor, has declined from last year's highs. However, wood product and paper manufacturers continue to report uncertain demand, high labor costs, and supply chain disruptions.

     

    Market Indicators

    Market conditions remained stable or improved for most wood products manufacturers but weakened for most pulp producers in the 3rd Quarter of 2023.

    - Softwood lumber prices decreased in the 3rd Quarter.

    - US residential building construction, a principal driver of the wood products industry, continues to hold steady. Housing starts YTD-August, the latest available, were behind totals for the same period a year ago and improvement expenditures YTD-August were down slightly from the same period in 2022.

    - The US Census reported remodeling and improvement expenditures at $238.0 billion YTD-August, the latest available, which was down $7.6 billion (-3%) from the same period in 2022.

    - The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported total exports for the four major forest products at 3.5 million cubic meters (m3) YTD-July, the latest available, which was down 19% from the same period in 2022. Exports to China, the dominant US trade partner, were down 10% for this period.