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Southern Yellow Pine Lumber Prices Flatten in July

Picture of John Greene John Greene : August 4, 2017

Lumber Prices

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: