NHLA chairman warns against rising log exports at 2025 convention

The 2025 NHLA Convention, held in San Antonio from October 1 to 3, centered on a growing concern for North America’s hardwood sector: the rising export of unprocessed logs. In his keynote address, NHLA Chairman John “Bucky” Doe warned that the trend threatens the long-term survival of domestic sawmills. “Selling raw logs abroad may look like good business today,” he said, “but it’s building tomorrow’s disaster.” Doe highlighted the economic imbalance driving the problem — a $100 log can be sold overseas for an immediate $150 profit, while processing it domestically brings higher costs and ...