As May dawned most players in the North America lumber industry remained firmly on the side of caution.
While there was a welcome increase in lumber demand since April, most prices remained flat. Sales volumes continued to be lower than was the busy spring season historically.
Inventories of solid wood material throughout the supply chain were still low, something that has lately become a chronic situation. Most were reluctant to increase their inventories for fear of getting hit with higher replacement costs.
Transportation problems abounded across the continent, with buyers and seller alike spending more time locating their trucks and rail cars than actually making deals. Rapidly increasing fuel costs were on the top of everyone’s minds.
In the week ending May 1, 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 flat from one month ago when it was $490.
In the week ending May 1, 2026, the price of Southern Yellow Pine East Side 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$505 mfbm. This was down -$30, or -6%, from the previous week when it was $535.
That week’s price was down -$56, or -10%, from one month ago when it was $561.
Reports varied considerably between sawmills, print, and on-ground levels amid a broad sense of unease in the market; while Southern Yellow Pine continued its correction down.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
- Players of Western-SPF in the US reported precious little slack in the system.
- Purchasing continued to be on a lean, hand-to-mouth basis.
- Limited overall supply and ongoing issues in transportation played havoc with production schedules and delivery timelines.
- Demand for Western-SPF in the Canada was undeniably better than at the start of April.
- Price spreads between sawmill-asking and on-the-ground grew further.
- Trading volumes of Eastern-SPF were decent — though subpar for the time of year.
- Southern Yellow Pine continued trading down in a freight vacuum, while price fragmentation and availability discrepancies increased again.
- Delayed deliveries and frustrated retail customers abounded as trucking issues dominated much of the conversation.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
