As for WSPF 2x6 #3/Utility KD (RL), that price was US$230 mfbm which was flat from the previous week, and up $4, or 2%, from the previous month when it was $226.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
Even while overall availability was limited, customers of Western-SPF lumber and studs in the US remained quiet due to seasonal effects.
Commodity prices showed consistent but not outlandish strengthening trends.
Buyers of Western-SPF lumber in Canada retreated to the sidelines after covering the bulk of their short-term needs.
Sawmills maintained order files into mid-February.
Purchasers were unwilling to extend coverage beyond that timeline.
Secondary suppliers of Eastern-SPF commodities reported sales plodded along at a relatively good pace.
Logistical issues cropped up frequently as winter weather affected huge swathes of both Canada and the US.
Widespread power outages over much of the Eastern portion of the continent affected Southern Yellow Pine sawmill operations.
Eastern stocking wholesalers were content to see their prices head into February flat.
Graph: Western-SPF & SYP 2x6 prices comparison
In the week ending January 30, 2026, the price of Southern Yellow Pine West Side 2x4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$430 mfbm. This was up $5, or 1%, from the previous week when it was $425.
That week’s price was up $19, or 4%, from one month ago when it was $412.
As well, for the end of January, SYP West 2x4 #3/Utility KD (RL) was US$400 mfbm, which was up $10, or 3%, from the previous week when it was $390 and was up $23, or 6%, from one month ago when it was $378.
As for SYP West 2x6 #3/Utility KD (RL), that price was US$320 mfbm, which was up $5, or +2%, from the previous week when it was $315 and was up +$14, or +4%, from one month ago when it was $306.
As new business for 2026 got going after the annual Holiday break, lumber prices increased slightly from the usual seasonal lows of year-end. Current levels were quite close to the beginning of both last year and 2024, providing good stability of price trends. This meant industry folks could better plan for the oncoming spring construction season than has been true for several years.
Sawmill production volumes remained lower as operators continue to be cautious about keeping manufacturing in line with demand. At the same time, however, inventories throughout the supply chain were so lean as to be non-existent. Due to so many unknowns continually cropping up in recent years, lumber producers will not increase production until there is a true rise in actual sales.
Customers, meanwhile, have become accustomed to getting the small amounts of wood they need in relatively short order so have seen no reason to build up inventory. In this context, no one knows what the market situation will be over the next few weeks. The prevailing sentiment is: to just hope there is no shock or surprise which catches people unprepared.
February 2026
![Graph: Western-SPF & SYP 2x6 prices comparison]({"t":"ext_link","c":{"dest":"https://madisonsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/MadisonsGraph2x6-scaled.png"},"tooltip":""}){kind=link}