Wood

[genek]

I went to My local saw mill where I buy My kiln dried lumber Thursday, to buy 300 bft of Maple and Walnut (600bft total). Normally I buy soft Maple to do certain projects with. They are all out of soft Maple, white oak, and red oak. They informed me that China has been going around and buying up all the Maple, white oak, red Oak and Walnut that they can find. Walnut had dropped to $4.00 a bft last month, but right now it has gone back up to $5.50 bft. I had to accept #2 common for hard Maple and walnut. The only way they will sale #1 and above right now is if you buy a tractor trailer load at the price China is paying. Those of you that use white and red oak for cabinets, it might be wise to stock up on them, and have the stock for back up or shortages.

[myxpykalix]

That may or may not be true similarly to how gas prices rise and fall on so called rumors of shortages, and the price goes way up then two weeks later that "shortage" seems to have disappeared.

[genek]

Jack I have bought from this saw mill for 15 years, I also called three more saw mills, they were out and telling me the same story. two of the other saw mills I talked to was totally out of Maple and red oak.
and did not have any to put in the kilns till they get more logs in.

[Ajcoholic]

Walnut went through the roof this year. I just bought about 600 fbm last month. Wholesale was $6.60 C. Its already up from that. And two years ago it was around $4.

Maple also went almost double. I remember buying a short lift of hard maple (about 500') for under $2/fbm.. now it is approaching $4.

Sheet goods seem to have not been affected. AT least not appreciably. Lumber though... yikes!

I though it was also due to the railroads in the USA buying more wood for ties, and also the exporting to CHina, as well as the overall market increase of price with the furniture marketplace growing.

Plus, our dollar, which a few years ago was on par with the American dollar, is now back in the dumper. Since we get 90% of the hardwood from the USA, it kills guys like me.

AJC

[genek]

Andrew its not the rail roads; they use ash it last longer and holds the preservative really good.. for number 2 common I paid over $2.00 bft for maple and 2.75 for walnut. Last year I was buying fas maple for $2.90 BFT and fas walnut for $3.75 BFT, with # 2 common I have a 40% waste.. I have had to move my prices up to accommodate the price and waste issue.. Andrew I am still paying less than you are. If you find yourself traveling into the U.S. and Near Ky bring a large Trailer will take you to My lumber supplier.