Log exports from Canada dropped -15% so far this year compared to 2024, while lumber exports rose +1.6%.
Total log exports from Canada to the world for January to August this year were C$249 million, compared to C$293 million for the same time in 2024.
Deep Dive Into the Data:
- Canadian log exports to Japan tanked by -41% in January to August, to C$53 million, from C$90 million for the same time in 2024. That to USA increased +57%, to C$55 million for the first eight months of 2025, from C$35 million last year.
- Lumber exports from Canada to the world rose +1.6% year-to-date, from C$5,900 million in 2024 to C$5,993 million this year. While exports to China and Japan fell, by -4% and -12.4% respectively, that to USA grew by +1.8%.
- While lumber manufacturing volumes in Canada fell almost -$4% for January to August this year compared to the same time in 2024, lumber sales values rose by almost the same amount; up +3.9%. This indicates that lumber prices, in general, where a little bit higher in 2025 compared to last year.
Canadian lumber exports to USA for the first eight months of 2025 were C$5,150 million, compared to C$5,060 million in 2024.
This indicates market conditions for both forest products and manufactured lumber are – in general – somewhat stable this year compared to 2024:
In the week ending December 05, 2025 the price of benchmark construction framing dimension softwood lumber commodity Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$380 mfbm, which was down -$10, or -3%, from the previous week when it was $390, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was down -$25, or -6%, from one month ago when it was $405.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$460 mfbm, that price was down -$70, or -15%. Compared to two years ago when it was $404, that week’s price was down -$14, or -3%.
For its part, in the week ending December 05, 2025 the price of Southern Yellow Pine – East Side 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$350 mfbm, which was flat from the previous week, said Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was down -$4, or -1%, from one month ago when it was $354.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$435 mfbm, that price was down -$85, or -20%. Compared to two years ago when it was $405, that week’s price was down -$55, or -14%.