It is no secret that the Ipe lumber industry was one of the industries most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Often with prices exceeding 100% of previous rates. Now with inflation at a 40-year high, gas prices being high, and labor shortages, there is no end in sight.
Currently, domestic woods are down in price from a year ago, and exotics remain high. Why is that? Unlike domestic wood, exotics’ primary use is not in new construction. Also, exotics require transportation to and from the USA. This means fuel and fuels are at an all-time high. Stack on top of the massive increase in cost for ocean freight and truck fuel, a driver shortage, and workers shortage.
There is really no end in a sight to the increases the industry is experiencing. So what better way to wait it out than on your new Ipe deck? No better time to hunker down at home. We are expecting more price increases in the near future, unfortunately. However, the good news is that the lumber shortages we experienced last year have simmered down. Inventory and selection are much better now than it was a year ago.