Major Storms Across the Continent Keep Lumber Sales Slow
frustrated and confused players.
12 WESTERN PALLET
As January came to a close the impediment of very harsh winter weather kept sales of dimension softwood lumber items slow. It was more a matter of transportation issues than a drop in demand. Some orders were booked at prices similar to the previous week, but most communication was about organizing deliveries on icy and frozen highways.
As well, several regions of the US south and east experienced power failures, which of course impeded sawmill operations. Most industry players, whether buyers or sellers, agreed that 2026 started off on good footing, with prices quite stable compared to the same time last year and in 2024.
All eyes were on the usual uptick in sales during February, when the largest US home building companies book their wood needed for projects that will break ground in spring.
KEY COMMENT:
Early-year lumber demand increased even as winter storms descended across the Eastern reaches of both Canada and the US.
Graph: Western-SPF & SYP 2x4 prices comparison
![Graph: Western-SPF & SYP 2x4 prices comparison]({"t":"ext_link","c":{"dest":"https://madisonsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/MadisonsGraph2x4-scaled.png"},"tooltip":""}){kind=link}