lotto results: Increased Fuel Costs Challenge Wood Fiber Markets in Q2

Increased Fuel Costs Challenge Wood Fiber Markets in Q2

ATHENS, GEORGIA – June 16, 2026 – The Forisk Wood Fiber Review (FWFR) reports a 3% decrease in U.S. weighted average pricing for roundwood and chips (combined) in Q2 2026, down 11% from Q2 2025. The same prices in Canada were up 3% for the quarter and up 1% year-over-year. Softwood roundwood prices were flat or down in all U.S. regions as buyers experienced ample supply while consuming inventory to mitigate elevated fuel costs. Residual chip prices varied across U.S. regions, down in the Northwest and Southeast and flat or up slightly in other regions.

British Columbia delivered softwood roundwood prices fell 2% in Q2 due to decreased demand in spite of higher fuel prices which impacted every part of the supply chain. Hardwood roundwood prices were flat in E. Ontario/Quebec. Delivered softwood chip prices were flat in BC and E. Ontario/Quebec. According to Chris King, Product Manager of the FWFR, “Higher-cost softwood chip imports to BC from the U.S. continued to slow during Q2 with the closure of Domtar’s Crofton facility, paper mill outages, and high inventories.”

U.S. softwood roundwood prices fell 1% in the U.S. Northwest and South Central regions, while falling 7% in the Southeast. “Dry conditions in Southern Georgia led to two large wildfires that burnt more than 55k acres, increasing supply of fiber in a region reeling from paper mill closures in 2025”, noted FWFR Associate Editor, Stephen Wright. Softwood residual chip prices were down 3% in the Northwest (as reduced demand outweighed higher fuel costs) and were down 1% in the Southeast. Lake States and Northeast softwood residual chip prices were up 1% and 2% respectively. Hardwood roundwood prices fell 2% and 3% in the Southeast and South Central regions. Hardwood residual chip prices were up 4% in the South Central region. Chip supply was constrained by lower hardwood sawmill operating rates due to poor end markets. Lake States prices were up 1% while Northwest prices fell 2% due to softer demand. Other regions were flat. The geopolitical uncertainty around the U.S. war with Iran fueled rising energy prices across the U.S. and Canada in Q2, impacting operations, transportation, and end-product demand.

Wood fiber costs account for over half of total pulp manufacturing costs worldwide. The Forisk Wood Fiber Review includes prices and market commentary for all major North American regions, providing essential data for anyone that needs to track pulpwood, wood chips, and biomass prices in the world’s largest and most dynamic wood fiber markets. The FWFR provides updates on softwood and hardwood prices for major markets in North America. Prices are reported for wood delivered to consuming plants as a range and average. Each report also updates U.S. and Canada trade statistics for lumber, logs, wood pellets, wood chips and pulp.

For more information or to subscribe to the Forisk Wood Fiber Review, contact: Nick DiLuzio, ndi luzio @forisk.com, 770-725-8447.

About Forisk Consulting: Forisk delivers forecasts and analysis of forest industry markets and timberland investments. Firms participate in Forisk’s research program by subscribing to the Forisk Research Quarterly (FRQ), Forisk Wood Fiber Review, or the North American Forest Industry Capacity Database; supporting benchmarking studies related to forest operations and mill capacities; and attending educational workshops.