Southern Yellow Pine Lumber: Quarterly Prices and Yearly Comparisons

The composite southern yellow pine lumber price inched down during week 50 of 2016 to the $381/mbf mark. As we approach the end of 2016 (and the formal slowdown in new construction) prices have remained very steady since the end of August. Week 50’s price is 17 percent above its January 2016 starting point of $326/mbf, and 18 percent above its 2015 week 50 price of $323/mbf.

• 1Q2016 Average Price: $338/mbf
• 2Q2016 Average Price: $394/mbf
• 3Q2016 Average Price: $381/mbf
• 4QTD16 Average Price: $382/mbf
• YTD16 Average Price: $372/mbf

In the SYP Kiln Dried lumber price chart below, notice the fairly steady performance beginning in 2Q (prices are generally in a building phase during 1Q). Despite a few minor hitches along the way, SYP lumber prices have performed at a very reliable pace in 2016—especially when compared to prices during the same period from 2012-2015, which demonstrated much more volatility.

Five-Year Comparison 

The 2Q2016-4QTD price average is $384/mbf with a low of $370/mbf and a peak of $406/mbf, a difference of roughly 10 percent. The chart below details these prices (low price, peak price, average price) and percentage difference (between the low and high price) from 2012 - YTD2016.

Interestingly, despite the sunsetting of the Softwood Lumber Agreement earlier this year and the increase in imports of Canadian lumber, SYP lumber has maintained a higher average price and demonstrated less price volatility in 2016 than it has during the last five years.