Lumber prices flat on usual late summer slowdown
Rubber and Wood | 2026-08-19 12:37:50 | By Paul Ploumis
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$533 mfbm, that week’s price was down -$17, or -3%. Compared to two years ago when it was $354, that week’s price was up +$162, or +46%.
Lumber Prices Flat on Usual Late-Summer Slowdown
North American lumber markets were quiet in early August 2026 as seasonal vacations reduced trading activity, leaving benchmark softwood prices unchanged week over week.
What Readers Should Know
- SPF 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) held at US$516/mfbm in the week ending Aug 7, 2026.
- SPF was flat week over week, up 2% month over month, and down 3% year over year.
- Southern Yellow Pine East Side 2×4 fell to US$475/mfbm, down 5% week over week.
- SYP was down 11% from one month ago but up 20% from the same week last year.
- Madison’s Lumber Reporter cited summer vacations as the main driver of slower activity.
Business slowed down across the North American lumber market as summer vacations took precedence over working the phones.
SPF Benchmark Holds Steady
In the week ending August 07, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$516 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 +$11, or +2%, from one month ago when it was $505.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$533 mfbm, that week’s price was down -$17, or -3%. Compared to two years ago when it was $354, that week’s price was up +$162, or +46%.
Southern Yellow Pine Declines
In the week ending August 07, 2026, the price of Southern Yellow Pine East Side 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$475 mfbm. This was down -$25, or -5%, from the previous week when it was $500.
That week’s price was down -$60, or -11%, from one month ago when it was $535.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was $395, that week’s price was up +$80, or +20%. Compared to two years ago when it was $380, that week’s price was up +$95, or +25%.
Also Read
People Also Ask
What was the SPF 2×4 price in the week ending Aug 7, 2026?
US$516 per mfbm, flat from the prior week.
How did SPF change from one month earlier?
Up +$11, or +2%, from $505 one month ago.
How did SPF compare to the same week last year?
Down -$17, or -3%, from US$533 mfbm a year earlier.
What was the Southern Yellow Pine 2×4 price that week?
US$475 mfbm, down -$25, or -5%, from the previous week.
Why was market activity slower in early August 2026?
Summer vacations reduced trading activity across North America.
Explore More
- U.S. softwood lumber wholesale prices reach highest level in nearly three years
- Lumber market sees modest price gains as supply constraints persist
- Industry uncertainty tightens lumber supply
Courtesy: www.woodbusiness.ca
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