The record run in framing lumber prices came to a halt. Cracks in prices widened across the array of species, offering the first definitive signs of softness since December. Buyers sensing the change in tone backed away from offerings at the mills. By week’s end, more producers had trimmed quotes or opened to counters. The Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price inched up to a new record of $513 at midweek. But weakness in the latter half of the week shaved $2 off the all-time high.
This Week Mar 9 |
Last Week Mar 2 |
Year Ago 2017 |
|
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $511 | $512 | $402 |
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 539 | 542 | 354 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 625 | 625 | 434 |
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 580 | 595 | 370 |
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 587 | 578 | 484 |
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 555 | 560 | 392 |
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 740 | 740 | 600 |
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Upward momentum stalled in structural panel markets. A quiet week of sales left prices of OSB unchanged in most producing regions. One notable exception was Western Canada. In Southern Pine plywood markets, reported prices of rated sheathing were mostly unchanged from last week, but mills extended order files amid steady sales. A quiet start to the week had western Fir plywood buyers anticipating that prices would crack. However, a major producer on Wednesday pushed order files out two additional weeks, which led to a firmer tone in the market.
(f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Mar 9 |
Last Week Mar 2 |
Year Ago 2017 |
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $541 | $540 | $404 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 530-575 | 530-575 | 390-415 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 535-580 | 535-580 | 390-417 |
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 550 | 550 | 402 |
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 405 | 405 | 305 |
*Weighted average of 11 key items |