The week following Labour Day did not show any substantial increase in lumber sales volumes.
For the most part prices held their own, while some key items did slip downward somewhat. In all, demand for lumber in the middle of September was similar to recent months; just-in-time buying for immediate needs only. Still at this time there was not much interest in stocking inventory.
A lot of concern centred around freight costs, as diesel prices began to reach levels not seen in recent times. Sellers cautioned reluctant customers that waiting until the last minute to place orders might not be the best plan, as the reduced purchase price could easily become eclipsed by sharply rising fuel rates.
Add to this the uncertainty of even sourcing trucks or rail cars, altogether this made the situation of delayed delivery a very real possibility.
In the week ending September 18, 2026 the price of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$472 mfbm, which was down -$8, or -2% from the previous week when it was $480, 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 $490.
Stable commodity prices in several categories were suspect while panel markets continued to flip; with plywood taking a backseat to burgeoning OSB.
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KEY TAKE-AWAYS:
• In the week following Labour Day the hoped-for autumn sales push of Western-SPF in the US failed to materialize.
• Takeaway remained the frequent, small-volume forays which kept the supply-demand equation in a relative balance.
• In Canada there was enough demand for Western-SPF to constitute an upward trend.
• Most sawmills leaned on two- to three-week order files.
• Inventory and supply were again front of mind for most folks, with buyers managing thin on-ground stocks.
• Uncertainty reigned for Eastern-SPF dealers due to the recent ratcheting up of trade tensions between Canada and the US.
• Some commodity prices slipped between $5 to $15 per thousand on key items.
• Demand for Southern Yellow Pine remained uneven, with reports varying considerably within and between zones.
Madison’s Benchmark Top-Six Softwood Lumber and Panel Prices: Monthly Averages
