There was no noticeable increase in demand for North America construction framing dimension softwood lumber in the middle of April.
Prices remained mostly flat, with some items correcting down slightly. Players spent a lot of time tracking down where was delivery of their solid wood products already ordered.
Sellers were managing the location of trucks and rail cars which had not yet arrived to waiting customers. Customers repeatedly called back to suppliers asking that very question.
During all this, prices of most lumber commodities hovered very close to the levels of same week last year and in 2024. This, at least, was one aspect of business that provided some consistency and clarity.
As for the rest, industry folks could only do their best to manage the continued uncertainty and unknowns with macroeconomic conditions.
In the week ending April 17, 2026 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 mfbm, which was flat from the previous week, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was up +$18, or +4%, from one month ago when it was $472.
Lumber demand continued to be broadly supply-driven, with limited availability propping up prices even as many buyers took the week to step back, digest, and reassess.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
- Prices of bread-and-butter Western-SPF commodities in the US were firm or slightly up.
- Players agreed on a situation of persistently subpar spring buying activity.
- Buyers of Western-SPF in Canada were cautious, and unwilling to carry inventory for more than 30 days.
- Rising rail and truck rates were an undeniable thorn in everyone’s side.
- Eastern-SPF sawmills maintained their asking prices across virtually every item.
- Sustained demand and consumption of lower grades indicated a strong undercurrent of industrial sales that remained persistent.
- Multiple sources reported Southern Yellow Pine prices felt toppy.
- A sustained undercurrent of SYP demand from pallet & crating manufacturers and other industrial buyers kept those prices more buoyant.
- Commodity prices were trending upward in the tri-state area, according to Eastern Stocking Wholesalers.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
