The forest products industry is one of the most important sectors of the Alabama economy, with a total impact of $1.028 billion annually. It is also vital to the livelihoods and economic development of many rural areas of the state. The industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, yet stakeholders remain committed to their work and are cautiously optimistic about the future of the sector. To gain a fuller picture of the perspectives, values, and motivations of industry stakeholders from across the state, the Auburn University Rural Partnership Institute designed a study to interview key participants from sawmills and other forest products operations. In these interviews, participants were prompted to discuss their personal work history, business operations, experience of change, and perceptions of the challenges and opportunities for the industry in Alabama.

Key Takeaways

Auburn University conducted in-depth interviews with individuals working in the forest products industry in Alabama to explore participants’ perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. This report describes the findings of that research, and below are the key takeaways:

• The data shared in this report is derived primarily from the perspectives of those who work at or with sawmills in Alabama. This data provides insights into a large portion of the industry in Alabama, but it is important to note that other key sectors of the industry did not contribute data to this report.
• Participants discussed a range of challenges for the industry, including profitability, supply chain issues, workforce-related issues, the public perception of the industry, and public policies and regulations.
• Insofar as opportunities, participants viewed Alabama’s timber supply and infrastructure as strengths, as well as the demand for forest products and new technological advancements as additional areas of opportunity.
• Overall, participants expressed a desire to see continued investment in the industry within the state and coordinated efforts to address challenges and embrace opportunities quickly, effectively, and collectively.

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Matthew J. Zinsli, Postdoctoral Fellow, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology; Kelli J. Russell, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology; Marissa “Jo” Daniel, Assistant Professor, Forest Operations; and Mandira Pokharel, Postdoctoral Fellow, Forest Operations, all with Auburn University

New September 2026, Forest Products Industry in Alabama: Conditions, Challenges & Opportunities, ANR-3283

For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit aces.edu/directory.

Trade and brand names used in this publication are given for information purposes only. No guarantee, endorsement, or discrimination among comparable products is intended or implied by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Special thanks to Richard Cristan, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resources, for use of the images on pages 13 and 20.

This work was supported by the Auburn University Rural Partnership Institute, project award no. 2023- 707500-38914, from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or US Government determination or policy.