Construction Activity In The Us South Jumped To Life At The Beginning Of
April, Sending Lumber Prices Slightly Higher.
Important regions like Texas and California came in to the market with
volume buys. Lumber manufacturers were more focussed on booking orders than
on raising prices. As such, sawmill order files stretched out toward the end
of April.
Transportation was more of a headache than even the previous week; as the
collision of jumping freight rates and competition from seasonal items made
sourcing rail cars and trucks difficult. Operators spent more time chasing
down deliveries than making sales.
Prices continue to hover nicely to between levels at the same time last year
and in 2024, providing industry good stability and ability to plan.
In the week ending April 3, 2026 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4
#2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm, which was up +$5, or +1%, from the previous
week when it was $485, said weekly forest products industry price guide
newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was up +$18, or +4%, from one month ago when it was $472.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$545 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending April 3, 2026
Was Down -$55, Or -10%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $452, That Week’S Price Was Up +$28,
Or +6%.
It was a a mix of contemplative digestion on this holiday-shortened
week, while Southern Yellow Pine prices continued to show strength. The
hemlock/fir complex finally joined the party.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Sellers of Western-SPF in the US were inundated with orders and inquiry,
such that they just had to focus on covering what demand they could.
Improving spring weather fully activated construction in Texas, and started
to percolate into the Central and Northern states.
Limited mill-availability continued to be exposed by even small jumps in
demand as reduced supply among secondary suppliers surfaced.
Buyers of Western-SPF in Canada stepped back to evaluate their positions
heading into the Easter holiday long weekend break.
Demand remained seasonally subpar as the calendar turned to April.
Secondary suppliers showed adequate inventory levels and a willingness to
negotiate.
Canadian sawmills in the West maintained order files at around two- to
three-weeks.
All regions were affected by tightening truck supply and soaring freight
rates.
Customers of Eastern-SPF showed how underbought they were by calling back
incessantly about where their latest order was in transit.
Suppliers of Southern Yellow Pine tried to fulfill orders amid a rising
market and severe ongoing freight challenges.
In the US northeast, Douglas-fir suppliers boosted their asking prices as
sawmills moved order files into late-April.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source: madisonsreport.com
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