U.S.: Softwood and panel markets - Week 44, 2017

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Framing lumber prices and sales in the US quietened last week after a period during which traders cited seasonal factors and tight supplies, along with a record run in prices. Even so, many key framing lumber items posted modest increases, as mills maintained order files, some of which reached early and mid-December.

While cracks in a few items developed, the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price posted a $2 increase to finish the week at $438.

  Week
Nov 17
Week
Nov 10
Year Ago
2016
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* $438 $436 $346
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price 494 490 308
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes 561 561 392
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) 455 455 323
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L 428 416 428
KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L 490 485 330
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L 730 725 625
* Weighted average of 15 key items

Random Lengths Panel Market Report

The downward spiral was unabated in structural panel prices. OSB prices continued to tumble in all producing regions, as the market looked for a level where producers could sell volume. Some mills reported activity picked up late in the week.

Orders for Southern Pine plywood trickled in as the week progressed, but overall steady sales were not enough to ease downward price pressure on rated sheathing. Western Fir plywood sales picked up from the middle of the week into Friday.

Buyers sensed a floor had been found, and stepped into rebuild inventories.

(f.o.b. mill prices) Week
Nov 17
Week
Nov 10
Year Ago
2016
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* $466 $486 $364
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood 435-495 455-510 348-380
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 440-500 460-515 350-385
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood 452 468 340
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 380 410 287
*Weighted average of 11 key items

 

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