Weekly Newsletter Update

This week in markets: 

• 15th SNB & JDI Contract ongoing. 
• Demand slows for 8-foot poplar to Louisiana Pacific, please contact the office if you have wood to cleanup. 
• Elmsdale Lumber, NS seeking softwood sawlogs, more info below. 
• Small mill market, seeking hemlock, cedar, spruce & tamarack. Call the office for more info. 
• SNB – AV Nackawic contract pending. 
• Curtailments: 
• Marwood, all red pine products. 
• Arbec, all products. 

Arbec Forest Products, Miramichi 

Arbec had notified the Board that they did not expect to purchase hardwood or softwood pulpwood for the foreseeable future from the SNB Board area this summer due to significant market concerns. Arbec has ensured Board representatives that if the opportunity presents itself to purchase again from SNB they will be in contact. 

Louisiana Pacific, Houlton 

Demand at LP has slowed significantly. LP, like many other mills, are experiencing market challenges in moving product. The SNB Marketing Board has been allocated a small volume to ensure producers can cleanup any wood that was cut for LP and finish their harvest. Producers are encouraged to reach out to Devin to arrange delivery ASAP, and consider there are limited options for delivering poplar pulpwood at this time. 

A reminder, LP added a new fuel surcharge on top of the delivered price of wood for the Board contract. This fuel surcharge represents $2/ton plus the delivered US price of $60/ton. This amount will be reviewed monthly and adjusted accordingly.  

SNB Board – JDI Contract  

The 15th Board contract is underway. Prices return to pre-road closure season seeing $10/gmt return on studwood, and $2/gmt on logs. The contract is for a total of 12 weeks, from May 11th until August 1st, 2026. 

As JDI navigates the logistics of getting the new South Bay chipping facility underway and transporting older pulpwood inventory from Sussex to the new location, JDI has agreed to allow producers some flexibility in deciding where to deliver softwood pulp in the coming weeks. 

Please keep in mind, this could be a temporary option as inventories fluctuate between the two locations. This decision will be influenced by harvest block location, trucking capacity and other logistical considerations. Producers and truckers are encouraged to contact Board staff to assist in determining what works best for their situation. 

In the meantime, JDI is asking carriers to ensure trucks are set up for access to the South Bay softwood pulpwood site. Trucks will require an access card issued by Industrial Security to enter through the gate located between the weigh scales and the chip plant. JDI is also working to arrange the “ScaleBoss” cards required at the scales for weighing loads. Anyone currently delivering pulpwood to Sussex should already have access set up for the South Bay operation. 

A friendly reminder, all producers must submit a signed copy of the new EUDR regulation acknowledgment form prior to receiving payment for their delivery. 

Producers are to use “SNB Marketing Board (producer name)” as the contract number when filling out the TC.  

Elmsdale Lumber, NS 

Elmsdale Lumber, NS is seeking softwood sawlogs. There is a fuel surcharge for wood from SNB region - please contact the SNB office for current pricing & before shipping. 

Minimum top size of 4.5” on spruce, minimum top of 5” on balsam fir, maximum butt of 29”. Spruce and fir must be separated. Logs are to be cut even lengths 10’6”, 12’6” and 16’6” with a 6” trim allowance. Clean white wood only, no rot or crooks. 

Woodland Pulp, Maine 

Woodland Pulp, Maine has resumed purchasing hardwood following their softwood inventory run. All loads to Woodland need to be authorized through the Board as Woodland is still trying to manage their inventory. Pricing remains the same, however, there is now a maximum of 10% poplar per load permitted. An additional fuel surcharge will be included to the delivered price. 

AV Nackawic, Nackawic 

SNB and AV expect to have a new contract in place soon following several discussions. Producers are asked to continue following the market update information for when it is put in place. 

AV has notified the Board that prior to any producer delivering wood to their mill, the producer MUST submit the PID (or PID’s) to which the wood originated from, 5 days prior to delivery, in order to comply with the new European Union Deforestation Regulation. All producers planning to ship to AV when they begin purchasing should contact the SNB office at your soonest convenience.  

Stateside Deliveries 

Over the past few weeks, the SNB Marketing Board has assisted producers & truckers in sending wood stateside using the new E-Manifest system. As the Board works through the procedure work for this system, producers are encouraged to reach out if they intend to send wood to LP or Woodland to coordinate delivery. Producers will be required to give an approximate volume and species percentage load by load in order to process the paperwork. Please note this does take more time and planning than other delivery options. 

Deliveries to Woodland will need to be reserved through the office via a ticket system as Woodland is still trying to manage their high inventory. Payments will be processed through the Board. Producers will be responsible for covering the cost of the e-manifest application fee of $85.00 per load, however, the Board will assume responsibility of all administrative work. 

Truckers looking to ship wood stateside are asked to reach out to the office to setup the e-manifest paperwork. 

US Markets and Currency Rates  

Currency conversion rates for US markets will increase to 1.41% for the week of June 29th, 2026.  

Facebook Page Updates 

The SNB Marketing Board has created a Facebook page to better inform the private woodlot audience. Follow our page to see immediate updates on mill closures, specs, and more. Simply hit the FOLLOW tab of our page located here. 

For more information on pricing and specifications, please visit our Market page here. Or contact the office at (506) 433-9877 or 433-9866.