Overall demand surprised many framing lumber
traders, and prices were mostly on a firm to
upward track. Unseasonably warm weather in the
East was a key factor driving consumption.
Demand from buyers needing to replenish depleted
inventories worked back to the mills. They
responded with modest increases in quotes, as
order files pushed into early to mid-January.
Many buyers scrambled for coverage of 9- and
10-foot studs. Year-end shutdowns and
curtailments reduced producers’ urgency to sell.
| This Week Dec 23 |
Last Week Dec 18 |
Year Ago 2014 |
|
| Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $319 | $316 | $382 |
| KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 274 | 270 | 340 |
| KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 373 | 369 | 440 |
| Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 290 | 290 | 317 |
| Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 410 | 407 | 457 |
| KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 303 | 303 | 345 |
| Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 660 | 660 | 665 |
| * Weighted average of 15 key items | |||
