Even as demand traditionally drops at this time of year for the usual slow-down in construction activity, at the beginning of October lumber prices popped slightly.
Some attributed this to the latest announcement of potential increased tariffs on Canadian lumber imported by the US, scheduled to come on in mid-October.
However; the ongoing reduced manufacturing volumes, which have brought supply levels down is more likely the real reason.
Customers searched wide for the lumber commodities they needed. Lean field inventories continued to make sourcing specified loads a challenge.
Those sellers who did have such wood on hand were able to bump up sales prices slightly.
In the week ending October 3, 2025 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$436 mfbm, which was up +$6, or +1%, from the previous week when it was $430, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter.
That week’s price was up +$11, or -3%, from one month ago when it was $425.
The market was thrown into a low-key turmoil by another round of tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
- Western-SPF traders in the US navigated a bumpy week following the announcement of additional tariffs.
- Muted sentiment was informed by sporadic sales, perplexing pricing, and overall uncertainty.
- Supply of Western-SPF in Canada was thinned out by months of curtailments, to better match weak demand.
- There was plenty of takeaway from those Eastern-SPF purchasers who felt their inventory positions were understocked.
- Sawmill order files in the East were largely into mid- or late-October as the reality of limited supply was highlighted.
- Inquiry levels for Southern Yellow Pine were decent, but resultant takeaway left much to be desired.
- Wide dimension items had firmer offerings as wetter weather in the US South reduced access to larger diameter logs.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
