The dual mid-May long weekends in canada and the us provided a break for
north america lumber sales.
Top of everyone’s minds was delivery; freight charges and tight supply of
trucks and rail cars. Conversations swirled about where was wood previously
ordered in the supply chain, and what was the expected date of that arrival.
There was some back-and-forth between customers and suppliers about placing
new orders for wood, but no one was thinking more than two or three weeks
out.
The sawmills were satisfied with their order files, which were in that time
range, and were unwilling to commit to sales beyond that for fear of a
change in prices. Buyers had a similar attitude, although some hunted around
for future deals to see if they could lock-in a purchase at current prices.
Generally speaking though this was more tire-kicking than actually placing
of orders.
On both sides of the border most thoughts were on grilling hot dogs and
other beginning-of-summer activities than on increasing lumber inventories.
In the week ending May 8, 2026 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4
#2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm, which was flat from the previous week, said
weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber
Reporter.
That week’s price was flat from one month ago when it was $490.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$430 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending May 8, 2026
Was Up +$60, Or +14%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $383, That Week’S Price Was Up +$107,
Or +28%.
Most lumber prices were flat while Southern Yellow Pine continued to
search for a reliably tradable bottom.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
There wasn’t enough production of Western-SPF in the US to allow buyers
slack to make counter-offers.
Western-SPF suppliers in Canada had sustained inquiry and takeaway from
buyers which kept both sawmills and distributors busy.
Sentiment among customers remained cautious, as they committed only to
coverage in a near-term, two- to four-week, range.
On May 1st, the UP and BN railroads added another $6 to $10 per thousand in
fuel surcharges, substantially increasing shipping costs per rail car.
Trucking availability remained tight across Western Canada, with limited
capacity reducing flexibility on prompt orders.
Eastern-SPF mills maintained order files in a roughly three-week range.
As buyers refused to build inventory in anticipation of spring jobs,
distributors and sawmills also avoided carrying or processing excess
inventory.
Producers of Southern Yellow Pine now had order files, so buyers who needed
quick coverage had to pay to get it.
Commodity prices and tight supply increasingly occupied the minds of Eastern
Stocking Wholesalers.
Vendors in the tri-state area faced the fact their cross-country shipments
were subject to sky-high freight rates.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source: madisonsreport.com
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