RISI Viewpoint: New year brings cautious optimism & continued supply concerns

January 15, 2018
Category: Today's Takeaway

Housing demand has RISI expressing optimism for wood products in 2018 but with some incertitude, due to the status of NAFTA and softwood lumber, supply-side constraints, tax changes and an expected rise in OSB mill restarts. Other trade headlines suggest: “standing up to Trump” may be wise; Trump may be “striking a softer tone” on NAFTA; and [perhaps most importantly] ignoring the media may be best, as last time “it took a breakdown in talks” before progress began.

In Forestry news: Ontario moves to relocate caribou off of a remote island due to the recent arrival of wolves; California is allowed to continue killing barred owls to protect the spotted owl; European forests are half what they were 6,000 years ago; and Finland is using Big Data to help with sustainable forestry.

Finally, Nevada just appointed their first female State Forester. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Read More