The MarketWatch Blog is Transitioning to ResourceWise Forest Products
Forest2Market: July 14, 2023
Despite a brief dip during week 28, southern yellow pine lumber prices have remained flat through June and July—possibly suggesting a period of equilibrium after a steady price decline since April’s 12-year high of $440/mbf. US housing starts rebounded more than expected in June after declining for three straight months, which helped drive demand for lumber during what is traditionally the most active part of the building season.Housing starts were up 8.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1,215,000 units in June; single-family starts accounted for 849,000 units and the multi-family housing segment increased 13.3 percent to a 366,000 unit-pace after five straight months of declines.
The composite southern yellow pine lumber price for week 30 was at $382/mbf, which is up from week 29’s $377/mbf mark. Week 30’s price is just 1.1 percent above its January 2017 starting point of $378/mbf, and 2.1 percent below the 2016 week 30 price of $390/mbf.
A closer look at some of the prices we have seen since the beginning of the year:
- 1Q2017 Average Price: $404/mbf
- 2Q2017 Average Price: $410/mbf
- YTD Peak Price: $440/mbf
- YTD Average Price: $407/mbf
- Average Summer Price: $382/mbf
Lumber Prices Stabilize; Is More Volatility Around the Corner?
Joe Clark : September 9, 2021
By mid-July, the price for finished southern yellow pine (SYP) lumber had tumbled over 65% from a new record high achieved just nine weeks prior....
Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Prices Spike to Record High in June
John Greene : June 26, 2018
Just as quickly as southern yellow pine (SYP) lumber prices spiked to a new record high of $576/MBF in early June, they retreated in week 24....
Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Prices Lose Steam in August
John Greene : August 30, 2019
Southern yellow pine lumber prices gained some momentum in early July but have since meandered on a downward trend, illustrating the weakness seen in...