Sputtering demand left many framing lumber traders working hard for every order. But with curtailment news circulating and summer shutdowns pending, trading retained a measure of liquidity, as buyers addressed near-term summer needs. Talk of a major curtailment by an Eastern Canadian producer circulated widely, giving S-P-F sales a boost. Some reaction was also noted in ES-LP studs at Inland mills, but most other markets were dull.
Week
June 20
Week
June 13
Year Ago
2007
Random Lengths Framing
Lumber Composite Price*
$265
$269
$311
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L
Mill Price
244
238
291
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L,
delivered Great Lakes
322
330
367
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4
R/L (Portland)
230
230
273
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L
307
317
302
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L
240
240
285
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr
1x12 R/L
485
490
675
* Weighted
average of 15 key items
Structural panels were a tough sell. Sluggish sales left OSB prices
vulnerable in most regions. Inventories in the field were lean, but
many buyers stuck to the sidelines waiting to see where prices would
settle. Southern Pine plywood mills offered deep discounts on blocks to
clear accumulations early in the week. Prices firmed on Wednesday after
sales picked up. After a slow start, western Fir plywood mills opened
to sharp counters on sheathing and underlayment.
