Characteristics and Concerns of Logging Businesses in the Southeastern United States: Results from a State-Wide Survey from Alabama

A mail survey of Alabama logging firms was conducted in collaboration with the Alabama Loggers Council (ALC) in the spring of 2023 to gather data for current and future assessments of the logging industry’s status and challenges. The response rate was 23.02% after two mailings. The average age of the business respondents was 56 and the average age of employees was 48. About 35% of owners expected to exit the industry within five years, with one-third of those reporting that their business would cease to operate. Most owners who plan to continue operating after five years expect to maintain the same production level. The primary challenges facing logging businesses are increasing operating and equipment costs, the lack of labor and truck drivers, and mill issues (including quotas, shutdowns, and slow operations). COVID-19 has had some effects on Alabama logging operations, including reducing production for a majority of businesses.