As the usual mid-summer quietude arrived, activity around lumber sales remained quite robust.
Transportation constraints loomed large, so most of this activity was focussed on wrangling delivery. Due to delays sourcing trucks and even more so rail cars, sawmills actually had notable supply in their yards waiting to go out to impatient customers. This situation does not appear to be getting resolved soon.
Prices of benchmark lumber item WSPF 2×4 hit almost the exact same level as one year ago, providing indication of stability in the year-over-year trend line. The numbers indicate that industry as arrived at the new bottom for lumber prices. The strict discipline exercised by sawmills over the past more
than two years, to keep manufacturing volumes in line with muted demand, indicates that — going forward — prices for most solid wood commodities will either be flat or will go up.
In the week ending July 10, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$500 mfbm. This was flat from the previous week, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was up +$5, or +1%, from one month ago when it was $495.
Most standard dimension lumber commodities gained some ground with prices due to ongoing limited overall supply, while Hemlock/Douglas fir and plywood prices remained firm.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
• Western-SPF producers in the US were nominally in the driver’s seat, maintaining sawmill order files at two- to four-weeks.
• Regional mills showed more short-term availability than national outfits.
• Availability of Western-SPF in Canada continued to be limited across the board.
• Transportation constraints have not improved in many weeks.
• Many Eastern-SPF producers in Canada were in the midst of two-week summer shutdowns.
• Most sales were as quick truck business; buyers covered their needs through the distribution network.
• Availability of most Southern Yellow Pine commodities was spotty.
• Buyers in the US south found success only if they showed considerable flexibility with delivery timelines.
• Due to transportation constraints, lead times were into late July or early August.
• Eastern Stocking Wholesalers reported that Douglas Fir material was staying on the West Coast, leading to mounting shortages in the tri-state area.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
