Forest to Mill Timber Price Trends and Volatility for Mississippi Timber Products

Abstract We examined timber price trends along the Mississippi roundwood supply chain. Quarterly statewide data from Timber Mart-South for pine sawtimber, pulpwood, mixed hardwood and pulpwood were obtained covering 1992 to 2018. Prices stumpage, delivered logs, conversion—measured as difference between wood stumpage—were analyzed across products 27-year series, well three equally spaced 9-year periods (Period 1, 2000; Period 2, 2001 2009; 3, 2010 2018). Flat prices, increased rates conversion, declining sawtimber stumpage prices revealed over long term. Hardwood product however, their chains. have generally become less volatile, particularly 2 indicating an increasing degree of homogeneity within each product's market. The exception this was suggesting resource, locational, and/or market differences may emerged product. supported, appropriate, considering silvicultural options allow resource's continued growth. Declining expectations call into question any strictly financial rationale extending rotation length.