Price trends in U.S. framing lumber were mixed last week, but the tone of the market was more upbeat in the second half of the week. The pace slowed in Southern Pine, as a waiting game developed between buyers and sellers. In contrast, prices advanced in Canadian S-P-F, although the bulk of those gains came early on momentum from the previous week’s action. In the West,green Douglas Fir was cited as the most active species; customers in California stepped up purchases, while the Pacific Northwest truck market was steady.
Week 6 May | Week Apr 29 | Year Ago 2015 | |
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $353 | $350 | $321 |
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | $301 | $298 | $252 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | $395 | $385 | $348 |
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | $335 | $327 | $290 |
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | $429 | $427 | $383 |
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 375$ | $380 | $300 |
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | $700 | $695 | $670 |
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel trading kicked into high gear, and prices moved higher. Sales in Western Canada were already at the leading edge in OSB because of extended mill order files. But activity reached a frenzied pace late in the week following a fire in a mill’s log deck. Action in Southern Pine plywoodlagged the frenetic pace of OSB, but prices nevertheless posted solid gains for the week. Brisk demand for most western Fir sheathing panels pushed prices higher. Most mills boasted order files in the week of May 23.
(f.o.b. mill prices) | Week 6 May | Week Apr 29 | Year Ago 2015 |
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $370 | $358 | $358 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | $363-380 | $355-375 | $414-465 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | $365-383 | $358-377 | $414-465 |
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | $365 | $343 | $387 |
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | $268 | $250 | $182 |
* Weighted average of 11 key items |