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

    Overall, timber prices decreased in the 3rd Quarter in spite of extraordinary and unexpected market conditions that drove Southern pine lumber prices to record highs in September - up more than 160% since April and up 60% above previous record highs that occurred in mid-2018.

    South-wide average stumpage prices declined for four of the five major products in the 3rd Quarter. However, the overall decline in prices was not unexpected, as the common, seasonal trend is for stumpage prices to fall in the 3rd Quarter.

    Click here to view the 3Q2020 Bulletin

    Stumpage Prices & Publications

    South-wide Average Stumpage Prices

    • Available here (last updated Oct 9, 2020)

    State-wide Average Stumpage Prices

    • Available here (last updated Oct 9, 2020)

    Quarterly Report Distributions

    In the News 4Q2020

    Softwood lumber prices eased downward in October from record highs while Plywood prices continued to climb. Other forest product prices remained lower year over year although logs including pulpwood took a small increase, up 2.6% year over year.

     

    Market Indicators

    New residential construction continued to expand in October.

    - Ytd through October, US starts totaled 1,150,000 units, up (+6.7%) from the same period in 2019.
    - At the current rate, the US is on target to have the highest level of starts since 2006.
    - Single family starts remained well above the October 2019 level, with 815,300 units nationwide, up more than 8%.
    - The trend for starts in the South is nearly the same, with total and single family starts roughly 7.5% and 8.6% above last year, respectively.

    The US Census reported total private US construction spending continued to increase in October.

    - Total private construction was $894 billion, up 4.2% ytd through October, a $36 billion increase over the same period a year ago.
    - Residential spending remained strong with single family construction at $244 billion, up 5%, an $11.6 billion increase.
    - Residential improvement at $183 billion, up 18.4%, a $28 billion increase.

    Looking at November, the Purchaser Managers Index (PMI) November report showed further expansion but slightly lower rate at 57.5 down from 59.3 in October but  up from 55.4 in September. (over 50 indicates expansion).
    - Both Wood Products and Paper Products continued to report growth.