U.S. softwood and panel markets - week 16, 2012

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Used with permission granted by Random Lenghts Publications, Inc.
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random lengths Southern Pine cooled in late trading from its torrid pace, while other species warmed up on Wednesday and Thursday, putting the broader framing lumber market on a firm to higher track. Despite the slower late-week pace in Southern Pine, the wides posted strong double-digit increases. After the other species erased early weakness, prices firmed and then moved higher, with the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite gaining $5 for the week, to $302.


Week
Apr 20

Week
Apr 13

Year Ago
2011
Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price*
$302
$297
$269
KD Western S-P-F #2&Btr 2x4 R/L Mill Price
280
277
255
KD Eastern S-P-F #1&2 2x4 R/L, delivered Great Lakes
375
372
336
Green Douglas Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L (Portland)
235
235
255
Southern Pine (Westside) #2 2x4 R/L
318
309
265
KD Coast Hem-Fir Std&Btr 2x4 R/L
297
293
280
Ponderosa Pine (Inland) #2&Btr 1x12 R/L
630
635
655
* Weighted average of 15 key items

Structural panel sales ranged from lethargic to slightly more active. Little urgency was evident on the part of OSB producers or their customers. Dealers purchased only what they needed. Despite reports of cautious buying from most secondaries and dealers, Southern Pine plywood producers reported steady sales. Some western Fir plywood producers capitalized on a burst of orders from Canada, others felt a boost from the agricultural bin business, and altogether order files moved out another week.

(f.o.b. mill prices)
Week
Apr 20
Week
Apr 13

Year Ago
2011
Random Lengths Structural Panel Composite Price*
$345
$342
$285
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 3-ply exterior sheathing plywood 375-395
370-394
310-320
Southern (west-east) 15/32-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood
380-410
375-405
315-325
Western 1/2-inch 4-ply exterior sheathing plywood 367
365
305
North Central 7/16-inch Oriented Strand Board 215
213
167
*Weighted average of 11 key items


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