For the past couple of years players in the North American forest products industry have been waiting to see what is the baseline for “new normal”, following the significant changes to business and society since Covid.
Its possible some information has come to light; as in mid-June 2025 the price of benchmark Southern Yellow Pine East Side KD 2×4 #2&Btr was equal to that exact week in 2023: US$425 mfbm, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
This is down -$20, or -4%, from the previous week when it was $445.
When compared to the same week in 2024, when it was $370, that week’s price was up +$55, or +15%. Compared to two years ago when it was $425, that week’s price was flat (please see graph this page).
This indicates a stability to market conditions, much welcomed after all the volatility of a few years ago. Going forward, through the rest of this year and into the beginning of 2026, lumber manufacturers and resellers will be better able to plan as the annual seasonal cycle of prices up-and-down seems to be returned.
In the week ending June 13, 2025 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$462 mfbm, which is up +$6, or +1%, from the previous week when it was $456. That week’s price is up +$16, or +4%, from one month ago when it was $446.
Southern Yellow Pine prices continued their downward trend; sales of plywood finally gained some traction.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
- Overall supply and demand of Western S-P-F was in a close balance as sawmills managed production volumes.
- Canadian suppliers of Western S-P-F lumber reported firmer pricing and some upticks in takeaway.
- Western S-P-F producers showed increasingly thin sawmill offer lists, along with firmer pricing and an unwillingness to entertain counteroffers.
- Eastern S-P-F producers showed increasingly thin mill lists, along with firmer pricing and an unwillingness to entertain counteroffers
- Southern Yellow Pine sellers engaged in quiet price discounting across all categories as producers tried to clear excess inventory.
- Jobsites in California needed plenty of material; suppliers expected a few more weeks of consistent orders before summer heat and vacations arrive
- Eastern stocking wholesalers in the tri-state area were content to keep their on-ground inventories relatively lean.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
