Lumber prices across North America remained stable in mid-August despite higher softwood duties and ongoing supply pressures. According to Madison's Lumber Reporter, the benchmark Western Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) held at US$533 per thousand board feet for the week ending 15 August 2025, flat from the previous week but up 5% from a month earlier and 43% higher than the same week last year.
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Canadian sawmills raised prices to offset part of the new 35% duty on softwood shipments to the US, but weak downstream demand kept buyers cautious, favouring small, short-term purchases. Sawmills maintained lean inventories and restrained production schedules, while buyers showed little interest in bulk deals.
In Eastern Canada, pricing uncertainty persisted as suppliers passed on duty costs unevenly, prompting buyers to shop around for better terms. Southern Yellow Pine suppliers reported steady domestic activity, supported by seasonal trends and expectations that US buyers may increasingly shift from Canadian to southern species.
Meanwhile, wildfires across parts of Canada added uncertainty, with the full extent of timber and structural losses still unknown. Despite these challenges, sawmills reported enough sales to maintain stable order files, particularly for Douglas fir in western markets.
Source: www.meuble-info.fr
