Some items, which had risen too high in recent weeks – like Southern Yellow Pine 2×4 East Side – corrected down significantly, to come in line with similar products. This indicates the market is finding balance between supply and demand.

The latest US housing starts and new home sales data shows a slight lull; however permit applications are up by quite a bit and new house prices rose yet further in January. As spring building season comes on over the next couple of months, there is indication of powerful underpinnings for continued robust construction activity.

Most industry folks, whether lumber or housing, agree that this year will closely match the hot activity of 2021.

Jumping up further over small gains the previous week, in the week ending February 18, 2022, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$1,330 mfbm. This is up by +$100, or +8%, from the previous week when it was $1,230, said forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.

That week’s price is up by +$153, or +13% from one month ago when it was $1,178.

Following the early-February sales lull largely precipitated by slumping futures, US buyers were busy for the past two weeks securing coverage from Canadian suppliers of Western S-P-F; placing orders for the remainder of the month and into March.

A ceaseless overall lack of available Western S-P-F lumber and studs in the US continued to bring buyers back to the table repeatedly. There remained a pervasive air of caution to every deal however, as no one could forget the considerable growing pains experienced during a similar run-up of prices last year at this time.

Both primary and secondary suppliers had their yards picked clean of any material that came available. Actually moving that volume to market was another matter entirely.

Robust demand for Western S-P-F commodities persisted, according to suppliers in Canada. Following the early-February lull largely precipitated by slumping futures, US buyers were busy for the past two weeks securing coverage for the remainder of the month and into March. Reported prices varied from supplier-to-supplier, but any sense of weakness was gone as all numbers firmed up further.

Sawmills showed increasing confidence as the week wore on, as incoming demand allowed them to extend order files into early- or mid-March in most cases.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages

When compared to the same week last year, when it was US$1,040 mfbm, for in the week ending February 18, 2022 the price of Western S-P-F is up by +$290, or +28%. Compared to two years’ ago when it was $440, that week’s price is up by +$890, or +202%.