There Was No Sense Of Urgency In The Week Prior To Canada’S May Long
Weekend, With The Us Heading Into Theirs The Following Weekend.
While lumber sales were proceeding at nominal volumes, there remained
external factors causing issues. Specifically deliveries were a big
uncertainty, both in regard to sourcing trucks and rail cars and with
increasing fuel charges. Some buyers used this temporary lull as an
opportunity to hunt around for deals, but suppliers refused to commit to
price quotes beyond three weeks out.
The ongoing situation of very lean inventories throughout the supply chain
did not seem to trouble customers much. For their part, sawmills continued
to keep manufacturing volumes low to prevent lumber prices from falling
further.
Currently, in the middle of May 2026, the price trendlines of the three main
benchmark 2×4 dimension lumber items — Western and Eastern-SPF and Southern
Pine East Side — were nicely within close range for the same week last year
and in 2024.
In the week ending May 15, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm. This 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.
Compared To The Same Week Last Year, When It Was Us$444 Mfbm, The Price Of
Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr Kd (Rl) For The Week Ending May 15, 2026
Was Up +$46, Or +10%.
Compared To Two Years Ago When It Was $383, That Week’S Price Was Up +$107,
Or +38%.
Prices of Western- and Eastern-SPF settled into a holding pattern
while Southern Yellow Pine slid further. Panel prices seemed to have topped
out, but it was hard to tell.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Some traders of Western-SPF in the US decried weak conditions while others
thought demand looked pretty good.
Distributors and buyers were content to play it close while the market was
mired in uncertainty.
Sawmills adopted a similar aspect, refusing to build order files while they
felt the market wasn’t firing on all cylinders.
Overall supply remained tight however, limiting any potential for downward
pressure on pricing.
As for Western-SPF in Canada, there were many reports of mills pushing out
buildups of material at notable discounts to print.
Prompt shipments often ended up behind schedule, particularly when
originating out of Northern BC.
Eastern-SPF producers suffered hit-or-miss business.
ESPF secondary suppliers in the US bought more than they sold over the past
two weeks, in a period of seasonal weakness.
Southern Yellow Pine commodities continued to trend downward in search of a
price bottom.
SYP buyers looking for specific mixes or cleaner lengths had a tough time.
MADISON’S BENCHMARK TOP-SIX SOFTWOOD LUMBER AND PANEL PRICES: MONTHLY
AVERAGES
Source: madisonsreport.com
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