Global Wood Markets Info spoke this week with sawmills, traders, importers, distributors and market participants across Europe and North America. While activity levels remain relatively stable in several segments, the overall mood across the timber industry is becoming increasingly cautious as companies face rising raw material costs, supply uncertainty, freight disruptions and pressure on margins.

Many market participants now describe the market as highly fragmented, with strong differences between products, regions and end-use sectors. Some plywood and engineered wood segments are seeing the first signs of recovery after two difficult years, while softwood lumber markets remain volatile and heavily dependent on logistics, inventories and construction activity.

Below are selected market comments and industry observations collected during recent weeks.