Mid-June sales were unremarkable, and traders
struggled to discern the softwood lumber
market’s near-term course. This led to
conservative, just-in-time purchasing, with
buyers taking care to avoid adding to their
inventories. Quick shipments were a priority,
fueling the notion that there was little
inventory cushion in the distribution system.
Mills, meanwhile, worked to push order file
through the July 4 holiday. Buyers shopped hard
to find the tallies they needed, often paying
full price when they found them.
| This Week Jun 17 |
Last Week Jun 10 |
Year Ago 2015 |
|
| Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $349 | $352 | $332 |
| KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 320 | 320 | 291 |
| KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 420 | 415 | 384 |
| Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 350 | 353 | 320 |
| Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 381 | 388 | 344 |
| KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 370 | 372 | 315 |
| Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 705 | 705 | 670 |
| * Weighted average of 15 key items | |||
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Plywood sales outpaced OSB amid a mixed structural panel market.
Prices of OSB continued to slide as producers searched for levels
that would entice buyers to purchase more than fill-in loads.
Southern Pine plywood sales accelerated Wednesday, spurred by
reports of mill downtime to be taken the week of July 4. A
perception of little to no downside risk was another incentive for
buyers. Some western Fir producers noted the week was the best they
had experienced in 18 months.
(f.o.b. mill prices)
| (f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Jun 17 |
Last Week Jun 10 |
Year Ago 2015 |
| Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $371 | $372 | $372 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 360-380 | 355-375 | 415-442 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 362-380 | 355-375 | 420-442 |
| Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 383 | 371 | 415 |
| North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 277 | 280 | 208 |
| *Weighted average of 11 key items | |||
