GOLD BEACH LUMBER - BANDIT LUMBER PRICES MARKET REPORT

The Bandit Market Report, in existence since 2000, is published on a weekly basis and is intended to be a source of west coast lumber prices and commodities present, future, and pricing trend information.  We appreciate receiving some of this information from Do it Best Corporation.

Gold Beach Lumber values the opportunity to serve it's customers on the Southern Oregon Coast and provide you with Lumber prices and Commodities information.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Gold Beach Lumber price motion this week:  Leveled off with small movements in both directions.

OSB Lumber Prices:  OSB took another breather last week. Phones were quiet again but there were indications that some buyers will need to buy soon. Several large inquiries were circulating this week but getting them quoted proved to be a chore. The South West has no wood to quote and mills in that region believe this trend will continue well into spring. Bad weather in the north kept that region at a stand still. Most everyone we spoke too was optimistic as we push into spring. Demand should improve over the next several weeks. Production levels should remain steady. The negative housing sales and current housing starts send the wrong message to those controlling supply. Why would a manufacturer increase production knowing that more wood means lower prices in there future.

Western Plywood Lumber Prices:  Western plywood mills sat through a lackluster week and leaned on 2 week order files. At least one mill had quick cars available- snowy weather in the East. Veneer was said to be tight. Demand was better locally. Plyform sold decently. Speculative activity improved on CDX and ULAY. Order files are two to three, with underlayment and form the furthest out. Recommend dealers maintain medium inventory.

Western SPF Lumber Prices:  Western spruce mills began lowering ask levels last week as their order file has become almost non-existent. The March futures contract remains at a steep discount to mill levels and mills have had little success at securing new business. Secondaries remain the true cash market. Expect the market to remain in a corrective mode next week.

Treated Lumber Prices:   No Report.

Coastal Dimension Lumber Prices  
Green Dimension:   Green Doug Fir sales slowed and were muted for most of the week. This caused mills to adjust prices downward in an attempt to maintain files.  Prices will be level to down in the near term. Strategy is to be covered for two weeks.

Dry Dimension:  US Western dry dimension mills slowed last week. Buyers bought on counters although severe counters were rejected by mills. Snow in key consuming markets contributed to the slow pace.

Transportation / Retail Diesel Fuel:  Lead times for trucks averaged two days in most areas. As another strong winter storm blanketed much of the Northeast Corridor with snow we expect truck transit times to extend marginally over the near term. The major rail carriers are advising customers to expect rail transit times to extend by 72 hours on average due to adverse weather conditions.

Diesel fuel prices trended higher, rising $0.076 to an average retail price of $2.832 per gallon at the close of the week. Overall, we project lead times for trucks will average two days for most areas during the next 30 days.

Gold Beach Weather Forecast:  Enjoy the beautiful weather today and tomorrow.  Monday, temperatures are predicted to drop with moisture moving in.  Thunderstorms will bring rains on the coast turning to snow inland.  Temperatures are only expected to climb into the high 40's with overnight lows in the high 30's.    Wednesday will bring sunshine and warmer temperatures.  Rain showers are likely but snow is not expected.