North American Lumber Price Trends — Q2 2026
A free GWMI snapshot of North American softwood lumber price trends in Q2 2026, with species-level movements, demand drivers and the outlook for the second half of the year.
What’s inside this report
- Species-level price movements (SPF, SYP, Doug Fir)
- Quarter-on-quarter change tables
- US & Canadian demand drivers
- Supply and curtailment update
- H2 2026 price outlook
Overview
North American softwood lumber prices firmed through the second quarter of 2026 as supply-side discipline met a seasonal pickup in construction activity. This report summarises the key price movements and the outlook for the second half of the year.
Price movements by species
| Product | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western SPF 2x4 #2&Btr | $412 | $468 | +13.6% |
| Southern Yellow Pine 2x4 | $398 | $430 | +8.0% |
| Douglas Fir Green | $505 | $540 | +6.9% |
Prices in USD per thousand board feet (MBF). Source: GWMI weekly price tracker.
Demand drivers
- US single-family housing starts up 4% year-on-year.
- Repair & remodel spending stabilising after a soft 2025.
- Canadian sawmill curtailments tightening available supply.
Conclusions
We expect prices to hold near current levels into Q3 before easing modestly as summer supply recovers. Buyers are advised to secure needs early in the quarter.
