Framing lumber prices firmed unevenly, with studs and narrow random dimension still the focus of most buyers. Traders sensed a better balance between supply and demand, resulting largely from recent production curtailments but notable gains in sales as well.Milder weather in some regions helped spur buying at the retail level. However, weather continued to impede sales across much of the nation’s midsection.
Week
May 30
Week
May 23
Year Ago
2007
Random Lengths Framing
Lumber Composite Price*
$281
$284
$295
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L
Mill Price
252
248
275
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L,
delivered Great Lakes
320
310
345
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4
R/L (Portland)
247
267
242
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L
331
333
282
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L
245
245
257
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr
1x12 R/L
480
475
675
* Weighted
average of 15 key items
Many framing lumber buyers stayed on the sidelines after Monday's U.S.
holiday, and spurts of activity failed to develop any sustained
momentum. Softening was reported in green Douglas Fir and Southern
Pine, but overall price trends were mixed. While sales slowed, prices
gained in Western S-P-F and western dry species. Meanwhile, extended
production shutdowns in Eastern Canada, a lack of European stock, and
tighter western supplies allowed Eastern S-P-F producers to sell into
markets that they had not been in for some time.
