The Easter long weekend did little to bring an increase in demand for North America construction framing dimension softwood lumber.

While some prices had risen slightly in recent weeks, most activity toward mid-April was focused on industry players trying to locate their orders within the transportation network. Even as true spring weather materialized across the continent, sentiment for housing construction activity remained lukewarm at best.

Market participants appeared reluctant to commit to additional purchases without clear evidence of rising demand. Sawmills in both Canada and the United States continued to operate at reduced manufacturing volumes. At the same time, investment in timber harvest has already been made, leaving lumber producers well-stocked with logs and ready to respond if demand improves.

In the week ending April 10, 2026, the price of benchmark softwood lumber item Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$490 per thousand board feet (mfbm), according to Madison's Lumber Reporter. This was unchanged from the previous week.

That week’s price was up $18, or 4%, compared to one month earlier, when it stood at $472 per mfbm.

Compared to the same week last year, when the price was $505 per mfbm, the April 10, 2026 level represents a decrease of $15, or 3%.

Against two years ago, when the price was $452 per mfbm, the latest figure is higher by $38, or 8%.

The recent upward trend in solid wood product prices has been driven more by supply constraints than by any significant pickup in spring demand.

Key takeaways:

• Sellers of Western Spruce-Pine-Fir in the United States described a firm market, continuing to follow the upward movement seen in Southern Yellow Pine prices. Supply shortages became increasingly evident with each passing day.
• Western SPF suppliers in Canada reported that the recent positive trend in pricing has been supported in part by steadily rising fuel costs.
• A number of buyers moved to secure short-term inventory needs, stepping back into the market after a period of hesitation.
• Secondary suppliers continued to offer price levels below their replacement costs.
• Customers showed a growing focus on securing specific product tallies and reliable shipping times, rather than negotiating prices.
• Eastern SPF sales remained largely driven by tight supply conditions rather than stronger seasonal demand.
• Producers of Southern Yellow Pine adopted a more defensive stance after implementing sharp price increases in recent weeks.
• On the U.S. eastern seaboard, Eastern stocking wholesalers worked intensively to locate delayed or disrupted cross-country shipments, some of which remained stranded within the transportation system.