This New Year Started With Lumber Prices Very Close To Levels For The Same
Week Last Year And In 2024.
The annual seasonal price trend lines have returned to similar range of 2019
and prior; in 2025 the spread between high and low was US$170 mfbm. Now that
the extreme volatility of 2020 to 2022 is truly in the past, industry
players can have a better view of what prices might do as the spring
building season comes on this year. The final half of 2025 had a lot of
disruptions for both the lumber industry, the housing market, and for
macroeconomic conditions generally.
As such the sawmills and the home builders responded by being very cautious
with their business decisions. This means last year ended quite muted; with
potential home
buyers still skeptical of what would happen in real estate and the lumber
manufacturers keeping their production volumes low. Currently all eyes are
on the looming spring building season.
In the week ending January 09, 2026 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4
#2&Btr KD (RL) was US$426 mfbm, which was up +$11, or +3%, from the previous
week when it was $415, said weekly forest products industry price guide
newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter
That week’s price was up +$34, or +9%, from one month ago when it was $392.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$445 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending January 09,
2026 Was Up +$20, Or +5%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $470, That Week’S Price Was Down -$20,
Or -4%.
Lumber sales for the first week of this year showed signs of sneaky
strength even while overall sentiment remained subdued coming out of the
Holidays.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Overall supply of Western-SPF in the US was widely described as tight, with
prices inching higher on many key items.
Purchasers were reluctant to jump on shipments that often didn’t arrive on
time and as quoted.
There was a feeling that supplies were thin, based on limited supply with
little to no slack in the system.
Prices of Western-SPF in Canada also increased due Holiday downtime taken by
sawmills.
Downstream, secondary suppliers reported delayed shipments.
Eastern-SPF players reported that sales were seasonally slow, but underlying
sentiment appeared to be strong.
As Southern Yellow Pine sawmills returned to full production schedules,
players expected supply to catch up with seasonally weak demand.
There were notable price spreads based on region.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source: madisonsreport.com
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