Another week of sluggish sales at the mills
resulted in cracks showing up in prices of
framing lumber. Western S-P-F led the way down,
as mills needing loadings to extend order files
and compete with their Eastern S-P-F
counterparts were particularly aggressive. In
other species, producers either fell back on
order files and held quotes or selectively
trimmed prices and opened to small counters. All
told, a $3 drop in the Random Lengths Framing
Lumber Composite Price broke a four-week winning
streak.
| This Week Mar 3 |
Last Week Feb 24 |
Year Ago 2016 |
|
| Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $407 | $410 | $316 |
| KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 369 | 385 | 276 |
| KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 444 | 449 | 364 |
| Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 370 | 370 | 322 |
| Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 490 | 488 | 367 |
| KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 400 | 400 | 315 |
| Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 590 | 580 | 675 |
| * Weighted average of 15 key items | |||
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel trading lacked energy. OSB mill sales tapered
from the frenzied pace in February, but prices were firm to slightly
higher across the continent. Lengthy mill order files kept the
market on a firm footing. The sense of urgency among Southern Pine
plywood buyers last month dissipated. Most waited on the sidelines
digesting inventories with plans to re-evaluate their needs next
week. Trading in western Fir plywood was measured. Buyers in need of
coverage anticipated lower prices, but mills held to quotes.
(f.o.b. mill prices)
| (f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Mar 3 |
Last Week Feb 24 |
Year Ago 2016 |
| Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $407 | $406 | $348 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 400-415 | 400-415 | 368-395 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 400-417 | 400-415 | 370-398 |
| Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 413 | 412 | 325 |
| North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 305 | 305 | 227 |
| *Weighted average of 11 key items | |||
