Demand for wood products is set to bounce back this year and, by 2003, it will move back to the strong levels experienced in the mid-1990s.
Solid Wood Products Outlook 2002-2006 predicts that the US market will lead global demand growth for forest products fuelled by homebuyers taking advantage of 40-year lows in mortgage rates.
House starts will hit 1.69 million units in 2004 – the highest level since 1986 – US GDP will rise by 2.1% in 2002 and 3.8% in 2003.
Timber, plywood and OSB panel prices will peak in 2003/04, while MDF and particleboard will not experience any major price improvement until 2003.
