At the beginning of June, 2-by-4 still cost around $1,600/1000 bft (2-by-4 Western SPF, KD, # 2 & better). In the past two weeks, however, Madison’s Lumber Reporter identified prices of only $760/1,000 bft. Converted into euros and actual price, a decrease from around €850 to €414/m³ (-51%) was recorded.
After two weeks of constant prices, it is still too early to call this development a stabilization. However, the Lumber Futures for deliveries in September are also traded for $750/1000 bft on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Thus, one could expect a certain constancy of prices.
However, there are massive problems with truck transports in the US. The usual exchange of goods is not possible at the moment. Furthermore, producers and buyers are continuing to negotiate prices. Stock levels in the distribution centers might continue to decrease, which would drive prices up.
If $750/1000 bft become the new, more long-term price level, it would be around 70% above the ten-year average (2011 to 2020).
