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.
Mississippi: Low log inventory is concerning. Diesel prices have hindered logging and those that are working are focusing on pine. With the impending El Nino there is a real possibility of mills running out of logs once the weather turns.
New England 1: increased demand for ties going into 4th qtr
Kentucky, Tennessee: Tie supply and tie demand are more balanced than it has been in a long time. Board /Mat timbers are taking more and more of the production and starting to cause a shortage in ties,cants,and flooring lumber.
Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, N Indiana, N Illinois: increased tie demand in the upper midwest
Virginia: ties are still favored when mills are cutting tie species. but a lot of yellow poplar is being cut
E Texas, NW Louisiana: Market maybe improving a little and it's dry but not many logs are moving seeing lots of Pine being cut .