Wood Crosstie Procurement Trends
Railway Tie Association (RTA) Procurement Trends Dashboard below represents the monthly opinions of "in-the field" wood tie buyers who procure untreated crossties from sawmills in their specific regions. The data is submitted to RTA within the first two weeks of the month following the reporting period covered. The output is in two forms - monthly and a 12-month running view (which started in July 2016). You can choose individual regions or grouped regions from the dropdown menus above for both the monthly and trend data. All the charts on the page will change based on your dropdown selections.
Since the information provided represents a snapshot-in-time-opinion of individuals, each working for a variety of tie procurement companies, RTA does not warrant nor accept responsibility for the accuracy of the data generated. For questions or feedback please email us.
1. Compared to last month, the quantity of logs on hand at mill yards is:
2. Today's log availability is:
3. The 6-12 outlook for log availability is:
4. Compared to last month, the overall demand for competitive products in your territory is:
5. In your territory, what is the current demand for:
Pallet Lumber
Paper (Chips
Lumber (#2 & #3)
Export
Board/Mat Timbers
6. What is your current view of overall hardwood sawmill production?
7. What is your current view of overall crosstie sawmill products?
Current
Future
8. What is your view of crosstie competitive position relative to other hardwood products?
9. Regarding your above answer, please provide context for market, weather or other conditions.
Virginia: Weather has been dry and good for logging, however not many logs moving to the mills given current market conditions. Stiff quotas and shutdowns are in place on all hardwood products.
Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, N Indiana, N Illinois: Weather has been very dry. Larger mills are paying whatever they need too in order to beat everyone else on logs. Smaller mills can't afford it much longer.
Pennsylvania: Log inventories are still mixed, but trending lower overall. Pallet and Blocking prices seeing yet another decline in volume and price. Timber Mats are mixed on demand and price.
New England 1: Mills are keeping log inventories low due to poor market conditions. Most mills will not make it through the winter with current log inventories they are carrying. With Fall wet weather approaching along with hunting seasons production in the woods and mills will decrease.
West Virginia: A few mills are flush with logs but most are low for this time of year going into winter.
E Texas, NW Louisiana: Logging has improved a bunch but markets are still bad in every corner but ties.
Mississippi: Lack of alternative markets has led to an over production of ties. Tie demand remains steady