As The Calendar Turned To The Week Between The Canadian And Us Respective
May Long Weekends, Most Lumber Prices Remained Generally Flat.
After a sizeable run-up earlier this year, Southern Yellow Pine East side
2×4 prices corrected all the way back down to where it had been in January
and February. For its part, benchmark lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir
2×4 prices steadily increased by nominal amounts, then stayed flat for two
solid months.
These different strategies between the various regions of North America this
year is very interesting; the northern sawmills continued to keep production
volumes down and lumber prices mostly flat, while the south attempted to
capture enthusiasm for the usual spring buy — which this year did not
materialize — by drastically increasing prices.
For the latter, customers refused to accept those price spikes,
responded with strict counter-offers, and kept to purchasing for immediate
needs only. So those suppliers had to reduce prices back down to acceptable
levels.
Historically lumber sales slow down in June, but the annual seasonal trend
has not been usual for several years so might not provide any insight during
this time of uncertainty.
In the week ending May 22, 2026 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr
KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm, which was flat from the previous week, said weekly
forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was flat from one month ago when it was $490.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$444 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending May 22, 2026
Was Up +$46, Or +10%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $383, That Week’S Price Was Up +$107,
Or +28%.
Commodity prices hovered around the previous week’s levels across most
categories, underscoring the pensive tone in the market.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Holiday long weekends on both sides of the border took players away from
their desks.
Purchasers balked at Western-SPF commodity prices in the US but ultimately
booked orders regardless.
Western-SPF sawmills in Canada turned their attention to local buyers in an
attempt to cultivate better takeaway.
The market at large was in a clear holding pattern until after the US
Memorial Day long weekend.
High diesel prices kept freight costs up, and recent seasonal driver
shortages were becoming apparent in decreased truck capacity.
Eastern-SPF sawmills corrected their asking prices between $5 and $10 on
bread-and-butter items.
Southern Yellow Pine prices hit levels where many producers were refusing to
accept counter offers.
Pallet manufacturers and other key seasonal buyers showing inconsistent
purchasing patterns.
Mills in the US south couldn’t find enough trucks; some refused to take
orders if they couldn’t be sure of transit times.
Eastern Stocking Wholesalers got a breather ahead of the upcoming Memorial
Day long weekend.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source: madisonsreport.com
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