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Random Lengths
Updated every Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm (Pacific Time). Last update: June 14, 2013.
Click here to go to Random Lengths Sample (PDF format)
Random Lengths Lumber and Panel Market Report
Go to: Lumber Report |Panel Report | Industry News in Through a Knothole
This report contains brief excerpts from our full 12-page newsletter, which includes prices of more than 1,600 lumber and panel items, plus detailed summaries of market activity. Contact Random Lengths for a free sample issue.
Random Lengths Lumber Market Report
Carryover from last week’s stronger finish was spotty at best, and many key framing lumber prices posted losses. Weakness increased as the week progressed, with a more hopeful tone the previous week reverting back to bearish sentiment. Some of the deepest cuts were posted in green Douglas Fir, while many dry stud prices also finished with double-digit drops. The trend pushed the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price down to $331, below the second price threshold in the U.S.-Canada softwood agreement.
| This Week Jun 14 |
Last Week Jun 7 |
Year Ago 2012 |
|
| Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price* | $331 | $340 | $334 |
| KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price | 303 | 307 | 307 |
| KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes | 399 | 407 | 404 |
| Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland) | 268 | 295 | 240 |
| Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L | 337 | 345 | 346 |
| KD Coast Hem-Fir #2&Btr 2x4 R/L | 323 | 330 | 310 |
| Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L | 600 | 600 | 570 |
| * Weighted average of 15 key items | |||
Random Lengths Panel Market Report
The downward spiral in structural panel prices was unabated. Prices of OSB continued to tumble, as ample supplies weighed heavily on the market. Most producers had short order files and struggled to pull orders from their customers. Production stayed ahead of demand in Southern Pine plywood, and prices softened. Dealers felt no urgency to do more than cover immediate needs with mixed loads. Western Fir plywood sales slowed as the week progressed, and prices fell as mills probed for offers.
| (f.o.b. mill prices) | This Week Jun 14 |
Last Week Jun 7 |
Year Ago 2012 |
| Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price* | $399 | $414 | $373 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply rated sheathing plywood | 375-395 | 390-425 | 385-400 |
| Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 375-395 | 390-430 | 390-405 |
| Western 1/2-inch 4-ply rated sheathing plywood | 360 | 375 | 414 |
| North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board | 295 | 312 | 252 |
| *Weighted average of 11 key items | |||
Industry News In "Through A Knothole"
Below are headlines of recent articles in the "Through A Knothole" section of our full 12-page newsletter, featuring articles of interest to the industry, including production/price trends, market analysis, trade issues, timber supplies, and much more. Contact Random Lengths for a free sample issue.
This Week in the "Through a Knothole" Section of Random Lengths
- Survey: Members of the wood products industry appear to be lukewarm to incorporating social media into their marketing programs.
- As expected, log prices in the West are softening as seasonal factors allow increased access to timber. But mills operating closer to key West Coast ports haven’t seen as much relief due a strengthened export market.
- North American lumber production in the first quarter rose 6.6%, led by a 10.4% increase in the West. Output in B.C. lagged, as production edged up a slight 0.2% over the same period of 2012.
- Woodworkers and producers in the B.C. Interior have opened negotiations on a new labor contract. The current pact expires at the end of June.
- Low output has kept prices of green Douglas Fir timbers holding to strong levels amid the steep fall in prices of green Fir framing lumber.
