Many reporters commented that wet winter weather helped increase prices this quarter. Snow was also a factor in some markets. Ice damage during the first two months of the year affected the South, causing a downturn in construction and leading to downturns in transportation and timber operations in states hit hardest by those conditions. While the short-term numbers on housing are not as optimistic for permits and starts relative to last year at this time, both completions (7.7%) and under construction (+21%) numbers are very strong relative to last year.
The second quarter price report and market analysis should be available in early July. If you would like to get an email alert notifying you when this report and other articles on important forestry topics are posted, subscribe today.The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture