Madison’s weekly “Movers & Shakers” softwood lumber prices historical comparison table uploaded for this week: Lackadaisical activity persisted as the Eastern Canadian construction holiday began. — Madison’s Lumber Reporter Western SPF: USA Uninspiring According to Western Spruce-Pine-Fir purveyors in the United States, last week was another example of the sloppy market that has developed over the month of July. Consumer confidence remained low and customers weren’t interested in buying any further out than one or two weeks, which also happened…

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Total corroboration from Japan of the BC coast log prices Madison’s has been printing. Some insights into the North American log sales market are provided in the latest issue of Japan Lumber Reports: “Export prices of Douglas fir logs for July shipment are $20 down on 12” and up logs, while 8-11” log prices remain unchanged. North America lumber market is rebounding but log market does not reflect any movement so North America log export continues buyers’ market. Japan domestic…

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Contracts for new, single-family home sales in the US increased in June by +7% to a 646,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate according to estimates from the joint release of HUD and the Census Bureau Thursday. The increase came off a downwardly revised May estimate, which was decreased from an initial reading of 626,000 to a new estimate of 604,000. Year-over-year, the June estimate is +4.5% higher compared to June 2018. The June estimate is another reminder that builders must manage costs as affordability concerns rise….

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An incomprehensible North American construction framing dimension softwood lumber market became no more understandable this week as prices on several key commodities fell further. As Quebec enters it’s usual two-week sawmill and construction curtailment and true summer weather arrived across the continent, lumber traders abandoned sales offices for local fishing holes and other outdoor activities.One must congratulate the major sawmills in the Pacific Northwest for such quick response to badly softening prices. Without some serious reductions in supply, prices could…

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In addition to Madison’s weekly #lumber price update on the Canadian #Forest Industries website:https://www.woodbusiness.ca/traders-abandon-offices-for-summer-holidays-as-lumber-prices-slip-further-downward/ Madison’s is now also providing monthly wood pellet price updates to Canadian Biomass Magazine news: https://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/woody-biomass-consumption-on-downward-trend-in-us-eia/

The June median sales price of all existing US homes reached a record high of US$285,700, up +4.3% from a year ago, representing the 88th consecutive month of year-over-year increases. The median existing condominium/co-op price of US$260,100 in June was up +2.8% from a year ago. Total existing home sales in the US, released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Tuesday, fell more than expected in June. Total sales dropped -1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.27 million…

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