Sales of framing lumber cooled modestly from the previous week, but they were strong enough for producers to maintain upward pressure on prices. Buyers tended to purchase cautiously, wary of an eventual market turn at what are historically higher price levels in most species. However, the need to replenish amongst a wide cross section of buyers fed a steady flow of orders back to the mills. An $8 gain in the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price pushed the index to $429, its highest level since March 2013.
This Week Sep 22 |
Last Week Sep 15 |
Year Ago 2016 |
|
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $429 | $421 | $352 |
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 423 | 416 | 312 |
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 524 | 512 | 410 |
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 472 | 467 | 332 |
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 403 | 386 | 415 |
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 450 | 440 | 327 |
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 675 | 675 | 680 |
* Weighted average of 15 key items |
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
Structural panel prices surged for a third consecutive week. Extended mill order files and lean inventories fueled OSB prices to another round of double-digit increases across the South. Brisk sales to home centers jostled an otherwise conservative trading pace in the region. Demand for Southern Pine plywood calmed down a bit, but extended order files, mills off the market, and transportation issues kept upward pressure on most prices. Western Fir plywood sales slowed modestly, largely because highly desired prompt loadings were non-existent.
(f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Sep 22 |
Last Week Sep 15 |
Year Ago 2016 |
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $521 | $504 | $383 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 500-520 | 480-495 | 355-375 |
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 505-520 | 485-500 | 355-380 |
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 521 | 515 | 407 |
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 445 | 435 | 300 |
*Weighted average of 11 key items |