VALDERS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Experts in the wood products industry say things in their world are uncertain right now, with timber tariffs hurting prices and demand.
“The agricultural producers of Wisconsin need to be able to sell our product,” Krueger Lumber Company in Valders co-owner Larry Krueger said.
Krueger said Wisconsin produces more agricultural products than what is actually needed within the U.S. So, with a 10% tariff on imported lumber and timber, along with reciprocal tariffs from other countries, business is dropping for U.S. wood producers.
“We rely on customers overseas for a fair percentage of all of our agricultural products, including forest products. So if we can’t sell our product overseas, it has to stay here and that reduces the price,” Krueger said.
In September, President Donald Trump put out a proclamation arguing wood production in the U.S. is underdeveloped.
He said a rise in imported wood products has “increased reliance on foreign imports, weakening United States industrial resilience and placing national security and economic stability at risk.”
Krueger said before 2018, China was one of his biggest markets. China mostly goes to Europe and Russia for its wood products now.
“A lot of sawmills have already closed, gone for auction. It’s difficult to make money when the prices are so low,” Krueger said.
Krueger said a year ago, a semi load of red oak lumber cost about $2.20 per board foot. Now, it’s closer to $1.60.
Industry leaders say the biggest issue with the tariffs are the constant unknowns.
“It’s kind of a moving target all the time. We can’t quite put your finger on what you really need to be doing,” Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association Executive Director Henry Schienebeck said.
Schienebeck said it’s most difficult when it comes to shipping the products.
“Because if they ship a container and all of a sudden the tariff goes in and it’s in mid-shipment, now what do you do? You have to turn around and bring it back because there’s a lot of cost to that,” Schienebeck said.
Back at Krueger Lumber Company, despite the industry’s ebbs and flows, Krueger is confident his nearly 60-year-old business will get through this.
“I’m an optimist that we’re going to be a survivor,” Krueger said.
