Global Wood Markets Info spoke this week with producers, importers, traders and lumber distributors across Europe, North America and the Middle East. Conversations increasingly revolve around freight availability, diesel shortages, longer lead times and growing uncertainty in international logistics rather than lumber prices themselves.

While most participants describe current demand as moderate, many warn that supply chains have become significantly more fragile. Rail and trucking costs continue to rise, shipments into the Gulf region remain heavily disrupted, and several suppliers report increasing concern about product availability for the second half of 2026.