Random Lengths is part of Fastmarkets

Forecasting is not an absolute exact science, but it provides a general expectation of future growth scenarios based on assumptions. Accessing two, five and 15-year forecasts by region and grade enables parties to plan around market changes. At Fastmarkets, our macroeconomic forecasts serve as a foundation for various forestry product forecasts, such as pulp, packaging, […]

This year’s excellently-attended European Forest Products conference in Lisbon over March 3 – 5 rolled out in an environment of increasing regional regulation, erratic international tariff announcements from the US altering conditions in real time and the changing shape of the market through mergers and acquisitions. Smurfit Westrock shut out the CEO awards, with Tony […]

The tariff drama as President Trump enters his second term of office has occupied much of the energy of financial markets and business leaders. The 25% levies on all goods from Canada and Mexico implemented on March 4 are sending ripple effects throughout the entire forest products industry, given the level of industry integration and […]

What is Southern Yellow Pine, and how is it different from other softwood lumber grades? Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) is a species of softwood lumber that shares many characteristics with other Western species of lumber that have traditionally dominated the lumber market, but the market has some key unique features. SYP trees grow across the […]

To navigate what can be a volatile market across paper packaging and wood products, gaining market-reflective and unbiased pricing information is crucial to safeguarding competition and fairness. Buyers need a neutral benchmark to enable the fairest and most accurate price for any given time. Some suppliers utilise their own cost-plus models, internal indices or pricing formulae. […]

The perpetually moving target of tariffs on Canadian lumber shipments to the US frustrated traders and had broad impacts on sales in many species. Despite middling demand, the threat of tariffs combined with relatively tight supplies left many prices higher for the week. The delay in announcement of preliminary AD rates by the Commerce Department […]