Industry Forecast - Lumber Pricing & Market Predictions
The dimensional lumber market has been settling over the last couple of weeks, with
pricing maintaining a flat pace. Attributing to the flat market pricing is the current surplus of product, with lead times on most items 2 weeks or sooner. The exception to the product surplus is 2x4 and 2x6 studs, which are still in tight supply but I think we are getting closer to a stabilized market.
Panel prices fell slightly this past week. A similar situation has presented itself in this market, with plenty of material available.
As for updates concerning the U.S. - Canada Softwood Lumber Trade Agreement, the Canadian government has recently pledged $640m in aid to their softwood lumber sector. Reuters.com published an article last month reporting that a trade deal between the two countries was unlikely to be reached by mid-August. That article is available here.
Paul Tarca
Head of Purchasing
Concord Lumber Corporation