As October dawned the supply-demand situation for North America construction framing dimension softwood lumber did not become any less murky.
True autumn weather reached the North American continent causing the usual seasonal slow-down for lumber demand. Prices of most construction framing softwood lumber items responded accordingly. Players reported ongoing frustration with transportation issues; both in terms of costs and availability. Trucks and rail cars were diverted from lumber sellers to seasonal goods.
Customers continued their very cautious approach, expressing concern that lumber prices might fall further and not wanting to get caught with more-expensive inventory as the market winds down into winter.
In the US south, weather hampered both building sites and
sawmill operations as heavy precipitation fell in many regions.
The latest US housing data was not encouraging for anyone looking forward to an increase in demand for solid wood building materials.
In the week ending October 9, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$454 mfbm.
This was down -$10, or 2%, from the previous week when it was $464, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was down -$18, or -4%, from one month ago when it was $472.
Most of the Western North American lumber market again show vulnerability, while Eastern prices climbed and OSB remained strong. Sky-high fuel prices weighed heavily on every transaction.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
• Anemic buyer activity showed no signs of a turnaround.
• Inconsistent demand kept business at a subpar level for Western-SPF suppliers in the US.
• Buyers remained cautious as they felt zero pressure to build inventory in such a tentative market.
• Western-SPF suppliers in the Canada reported sentiment that the market was already in a seasonal slowdown.
• More Eastern-SPF loads were dropped as seasonal goods took precedence over lumber, making delivery timelines and costs only worse.
• Seasonal weather effects set in as excessive precipitation in many Southern Yellow Pine sourcing regions disrupted an already-messy market.
• Sawmills in the US South were apparently approaching below-breakeven prices in many cases.
• Eastern Stocking Wholesalers at the ports in New Jersey reported waning takeaway.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
