China's Lumber Demand Increases, OSB Prices Soften

One unintended consequence from China's demand for lumber could be less lumber available for U.S. homebuilding. China has surpassed Japan as the second largest user of North American lumber, after the U.S. Low-grade lumber that would be used for building houses in Atlanta is used largely in concrete forming when shipped to China, and also in furniture construction.
Lumber sales to China continue to see growth
B.C. continues to ramp up lumber shipments to China and has already exceeded its lumber shipments to the Asian economic giant over last year despite the difficult global economic conditions.
Typically, OSB prices start to fall at this time of year, unless there is tropical activity to stimulate buying. Mill files are growing shorter, and secondaries are trying to move off contract loads. Building material supply yards have thin inventories for this time of year. There is very little residential construction in Georgia.
Two Atlantic Ocean weather systems being watched
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two systems in the Atlantic Ocean this morning.