U.S. softwood and panel markets - week 10, 2010

  • March 14, 2010
  • • Source: Used with permission granted by Random Lenghts Publications, Inc
  • • Views: 5402
Print | Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Decrease text sizeIncrease text size
random lengths

Many framing lumber prices firmed and then moved higher amid spurts of sales reaching the mills. Traders at all levels of the market continued to label price trends as "supply-driven," with few noting any major increases in consumption. Still, some mills re-established solid two- and three-week order files, as trading held steady through Wednesday before cooling off on Thursday. A notable pickup in sales Tuesday erased a lot of early week softness, and the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite rebounded $4, to $307.


Week
Mar 12

Week
Mar 5

Year Ago
2009
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price*
$307
$303
$198
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price
280
270
157
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes
353
340
239
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland)
230
222
152
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L
345
345
252
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L
277
270
150
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L
750
740
553
* Weighted average of 15 key items

Structural panel sales shifted into high gear. After a slow start, OSB sales kicked in Wednesday. Prices that had been mushy in a couple of regions early in the week recovered what they had lost and then some by week's end. Hefty double-digit gains in most Southern Pine panel prices were common as the supply-demand balance tipped heavily in favor of sellers. The western Fir plywood market retained some momentum from last week, then took off as traders noted Fir sheathing's discount to comparable Southern Pine plywood.

(f.o.b. mill prices)
Week
Mar 12
Week
Mar 5

Year Ago
2009
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price*
$334
$316
$252
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply exterior sheathing plywood 350-355
325-330
258-275
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood
358-385
335-365
265-280
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood 345
310
235
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 227
225
155
*Weighted average of 11 key items