Only minor 3Q price changes up/down across Northwest;rising supply risks from lumber markets,fires,Canada

摘要

With growing wildfires in the south,Canadian chip competition to the north,and falling lumber price impacts for all,Northwest woodfiber markets remain volatile in early August. For the current third quarter,most chip prices are already set;for the three major sub-regions,the south,Oregon's Willamette Valley,and the north,western Washington and the Puget Sound,both posted small price gains averaging $3/BDU. In the middle,the lower Columbia River area notched modest price reductions averaging $4/BDU this quarter,versus second quarter. For pulplog and chips,"Things are not yet crazy," like they were just months ago,summed a veteran manager in early August,"but they could be" later this year. "It's classic Northwest," an analyst said. "High-stakes poker with lots of wild cards."