Lumber futures rose to the very best in a month
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Lumber futures rose to the very best in a month as a few of Canada’s greatest producers cut back output and transportation snags disrupt shipments to prospects.
March futures rose by the alternate restrict of US$45 Wednesday to US$1,336 per US$1,000 board ft in Chicago earlier than paring features. The surge comes as corporations similar to Canfor Corp. announce provide cuts in British Columbia, whereas port congestion and an absence of rail automobiles and vehicles make it tougher for Canadian corporations to get timber to patrons.
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“In Western Canada these transportation challenges are actually unprecedented in each scale and period,” West Fraser Timber Co. Chief Govt Officer Ray Ferris mentioned Wednesday on an earnings name.
Lumber futures have already gained about 34 per cent this month as provides stay tight forward of the height spring development season in North America. Which will add to the housing inflation that’s already hurting patrons.
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Canfor mentioned Tuesday it plans to chop 150 million board ft of manufacturing in British Columbia, citing impacts of the mountain pine beetle infestation and different constraints on out there timber. On the similar time, West Fraser mentioned corporations are dealing with delivery snarls after huge flooding late final 12 months washed away rail tracks and shut highways in British Columbia.
Whereas repairs to rail and truck routes are progressing, West Fraser mentioned its capacity to “ship merchandise in a well timed method stays challenged” and the corporate mentioned it was pressured to take “unscheduled downtime” because of the transportation issues, based on an announcement. The corporate might must additional cut back working schedules to handle its stock ranges.
Shipments to Vancouver have been most affected amid port congestion and a scarcity of containers, West Fraser executives mentioned.
“Our greatest issues are simply delivery what we’re making right this moment,” Ferris mentioned.