Slight Rise in Lumber Prices on Lower Supply
frustrated and confused players.
Even as demand traditionally drops at this time of year for the usual slow-down in construction activity, at the beginning of October lumber prices popped slightly. Some attributed this to the latest announcement of potential increased tariffs on Canadian lumber imported by the US, scheduled to come on in mid-October. However; the ongoing reduced manufacturing volumes, which have brought supply levels down, is more likely the real reason.
Customers searched wide for the lumber commodities they needed. Lean field inventories continued to make sourcing specified loads a challenge. Those sellers who did have such wood on hand were able to bump up sales prices slightly.
KEY COMMENT:
The market was thrown into a low-key turmoil by another round of tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
In the week ending October 03, 2025, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2x4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$436 mfbm. This is up $6, or 1%, from the previous week when it was $430, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was up $11, or 3%, from one month ago when it was $425.
For that same time period, the price of WSPF 2x4 #3/Utility was US$270 mfbm which was up $25, or 10%, from the previous week when it was US$245. That week’s price is down $7, or 3%, from one month ago when it was $277.
As for WSPF 2x6 #3/Utility KD (RL), that price was US$242 mfbm which was flat from the previous week and from the previous month when it was $242 for both.
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