Even as demand traditionally drops at this time of year for the usual
slow-down in construction activity, at the beginning of October lumber
prices popped slightly.
Some attributed this to the latest announcement of potential increased
tariffs on Canadian lumber imported by the US, scheduled to come on in
mid-October.
However; the ongoing reduced manufacturing volumes, which have brought
supply levels down is more likely the real reason.
Customers searched wide for the lumber commodities they needed. Lean field
inventories continued to make sourcing specified loads a challenge.
Those sellers who did have such wood on hand were able to bump up sales
prices slightly.
In the week ending October 3, 2025 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4
#2&Btr KD (RL) was US$436 mfbm, which was up +$6, or +1%, from the previous
week when it was $430, said weekly forest products industry price guide
newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was up +$11, or -3%, from one month ago when it was $425.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was us$410 mfbm, the price of
western spruce-pine-fir 2×4 #2&btr kd (rl) for the week ending October 3,
2025 was up +$20, or +5%.
Compared to two years ago when it was $410, that week’s price was up +$20,
or +5%.
..
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Western-SPF traders in the US navigated a bumpy week following the
announcement of additional tariffs.
Muted sentiment was informed by sporadic sales, perplexing pricing, and
overall uncertainty.
Supply of Western-SPF in Canada was thinned out by months of curtailments,
to better match weak demand.
There was plenty of takeaway from those Eastern-SPF purchasers who felt
their inventory positions were understocked.
Sawmill order files in the East were largely into mid- or late-October as
the reality of limited supply was highlighted.
Inquiry levels for Southern Yellow Pine were decent, but resultant takeaway
left much to be desired.
Wide dimension items had firmer offerings as wetter weather in the US South
reduced access to larger diameter logs.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source:
madisonsreport.com
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