As the calendar turned to the week between the Canadian and US respective May long weekends, most lumber prices remained generally flat.
After a sizeable run-up earlier this year, Southern Yellow Pine East side 2×4 prices corrected all the way back down to where it had been in January and February. For its part, benchmark lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 prices steadily increased by nominal amounts, then stayed flat for two solid months.
These different strategies between the various regions of North America this year is very interesting; the northern sawmills continued to keep production volumes down and lumber prices mostly flat, while the south attempted to capture enthusiasm for the usual spring buy — which this year did not materialize — by drastically increasing prices.
For the latter, customers refused to accept those price spikes,
responded with strict counter-offers, and kept to purchasing for immediate needs only. So those suppliers had to reduce prices back down to acceptable levels.
Historically lumber sales slow down in June, but the annual seasonal trend has not been usual for several years so might not provide any insight during this time of uncertainty.
In the week ending May 22, 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.
Commodity prices hovered around the previous week’s levels across most categories, underscoring the pensive tone in the market.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
- Holiday long weekends on both sides of the border took players away from their desks.
- Purchasers balked at Western-SPF commodity prices in the US but ultimately booked orders regardless.
- Western-SPF sawmills in Canada turned their attention to local buyers in an attempt to cultivate better takeaway.
- The market at large was in a clear holding pattern until after the US Memorial Day long weekend.
- High diesel prices kept freight costs up, and recent seasonal driver shortages were becoming apparent in decreased truck capacity.
- Eastern-SPF sawmills corrected their asking prices between $5 and $10 on bread-and-butter items.
- Southern Yellow Pine prices hit levels where many producers were refusing to accept counter offers.
- Pallet manufacturers and other key seasonal buyers showing inconsistent purchasing patterns.
- Mills in the US south couldn’t find enough trucks; some refused to take orders if they couldn’t be sure of transit times.
- Eastern Stocking Wholesalers got a breather ahead of the upcoming Memorial Day long weekend.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
