As Canadian Operators Were Off For The August Long Weekend Holiday, Sales Of
Lumber Across North America Remained Muted.
Customers in the US south had pre-ordered wood from the north and west to
arrive before the full force of softwood lumber duty came into effect this
month. Demand flowed mostly to reloads and wholesalers, with new orders
placed at producers still mostly for fill-in needs only.
Even with that, sawmills in most regions reported order files at one-to-two
weeks. This largely because manufacturing was being kept at lower volumes to
stay in line with soft demand. Wildfires continued to burn in northern
Manitoba,
while new raging forest fires sparked on the east coast of Canada in New
Brunswick and Newfoundland/Labrador.
In the week ending August 8, 2025 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4
#2&Btr KD (RL) was US$533 mfbm, which is flat from the previous week when it
was $533, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter
Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price is up +$25, or +5%, from one month ago when it was $508.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$354 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending August 8,
2025 Was Up +$179, Or +51%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $426, That Week’S Price Was Up +$107,
Or +25%.
Already-subdued softwood lumber demand was further restrained by
previous and upcoming duty hikes on Canadian softwood lumber, as well as
lukewarm trends in broader economic indices.
.
..
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Traders of Western-SPF in the US were able to buy prompt lumber below market
value in some cases.
In Canada asking prices for Western-SPF remained firm as consistent takeaway
continued to put pressure on tight supply.
Canadian customers stuck to immediate coverage only, while US purchasers
were figuring out the new pricing landscape with higher duties factored in.
Sales of Eastern-SPF were tepid to start the week as Canadians were off for
the holiday Monday.
Eastern-SPF customers south of the border focussed on stateside material
that had crossed into US reloads before increased duties were implemented.
Demand for Southern Yellow Pine was unsure; with price softness appearing in
some products while others were firm.
With 7- to 10-day sawmill order files, producers in the US South tried to
hold onto their prices.
Bouts of sweltering heat put a damper on construction activity in the US
Northeast.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source:
madisonsreport.com
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