Even As True Spring Arrived Across The Continent, Lumber Sales Remained Slow
For The Time Of Year As Confusion On Trade Issues Remained.
Prices on some lumber commodities softened slightly. Strategies varied among
players; with some having already ordered wood for immediate needs to cross
the border before the beginning of April, and others holding off buying
completely until there was clarity about tariffs. Better weather brought
construction projects to life, especially in the densely-populated US
eastern seaboard.
Some severe storm activity in the south-central US over the weekend caused
significant damage to property and structures. The scale of rebuilding is
not yet known, however at a minimum there will be a large number of homes
which
need new roofs. This reconstruction activity will coincide with the usual
increase in new home building during spring.
In the week ending March 21, 2025, the price of benchmark softwood lumber
item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$535 mfbm.
This is down -$15, or -3%, from the previous week when it was $550, said
weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber
Reporter.
That week’s price is up by +$53, or +11%, from one month ago when it was
$483.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$452 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending March 21,
2025 Was Up +$83, Or +18%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $364, That Week’S Price Was Up +$171,
Or +47%.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Western S-P-F price levels in the US varied considerably depending on the
source and destination.
In Canada some downward pressure might be building in Western S-P-F standard
and high grades.
Players adopted cautious strategies after covering their near-term spring
needs.
In the east a prominent throughline was the concerning lack of overall
supply.
Canadian Eastern S-P-F sawmills showed thin offer lists.
Demand for Southern Yellow Pine commodities was stable, indeed trending to
the positive.
Sawmill order files in the US south were at approximately two weeks.
Overall, players didn’t see price downside coming, since overall supply was
limited and field inventories were nearly bare.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source:
madisonsreport.com
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