Western Pallet Magazine March 2026 | Page 13

In the week ending February 27, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2x4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$466 mfbm. This was flat from the previous week, said the weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter. 

That week’s price was up $16, or 4%, from one month ago when it was $449.

For that same time period, the price of WSPF 2x4 #3/Utility was US$344 mfbm which was flat from the previous week. That week’s price was up $34, or 11%, from one month ago when it was $303.

As for WSPF 2x6 #3/Utility KD (RL), that price was US$255 mfbm which was up $7, or 3%, from the previous week when it was $248, and up $24, or 11%, from the previous month when it was $226.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

  • An increasingly frequent topic of conversation for sellers of Western-SPF in the US was the overall lack of supply in the pipeline.

  • Several sources noted how tight Canadian supply was.

  • Inconsistent product mixes were evident, with scant availability of low grade and industrial items while supply of mid- and high-grade offerings were ample.

  • Buyers of Canadian Western-SPF kept their inventories tight as they still felt uncertain about the direction of the market.

  • Demand for Eastern-SPF weakened further as month-end approached and snowy weather continued to batter the region.

  • Sawmills in the East were not aggressively looking to move significant volumes.

  • Transportation issues abounded, as dealers could only offer loose guesstimates about delivery timelines.

  • The recent drop-off in Southern Yellow Pine demand and takeaway resulted in wood steadily piling up in sawmill and distributer yards.

  • Regardless, SYP sellers expected to see a significant spate of spring buying from treaters before long.

  • Eastern Stocking Wholesalers in the tri-state area were united in their condemnation of ongoing harsh winter weather.

  • March 2026