The recent upward trend in solid wood product prices was driven more by lack of supply than by surging spring demand.
In the week ending Apr. 10, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 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 $18 or 4% from one month ago, when it was $472.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$505 mfbm, that week’s price was down $15 or 3%. Compared to two years ago when it was $452, that week’s price was up $38 or 8%.
Also in the week ending Apr. 10, the price of Southern Yellow Pine East Side 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$595 mfbm. This was flat from the previous week.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was $505, that week’s price was up $90 or 18%. Compared to two years ago when it was $380, that week’s price was up $215 or =57%.