Market Recap: RISI Crow's Construction Materials Cost Index

Lumber: SPF lumber traders reported a quiet week of sales activity. Many left their offices early in the week for an industry gathering in Montreal. On the heels of improved sales the week prior, producers had little incentive to listen to counters. Sporadic early sales activity in the Southern Pine lumber market improved on Wednesday and continued through Thursday. Activity was highlighted by 2x6 #2 sales, especially in the West, where, after early discounts, that price increased to the prior week’s levels. Pricing remained mixed in the Coastal species lumber market, with the primary distinction being between narrow and wide widths. Light demand for 2x10 and 2x12 kept downward pressure on those prices. Mill sales of Inland species varied by what region they were talking to and what the mill had to offer. Buyers in the northern reaches were busy just trying to keep the snow out of their yards and their trucks on the road. Moderate sales of Radiata Pine 6/4 Mldg&Btr moved prices for that item up slightly. Inquiries for Shop grades increased, but offerings remained limited. Heavy winter weather in many regions quieted Ponderosa Pine industrial lumber sales, and until sales improve, buyers are keeping inventory purchases in check. Sales activity for boards at Ponderosa Pine mills remained “light but steady” with narrow #3 the big item. ESLP board sales were light but steady. Weather continued to mute consumption of Western Red Cedar in key northern regions of the U.S., but inventories at mills remained tighter than what the market has grown accustom to for this time of the year. Higher quotes were largely due to high log costs in both Canada and the United States. 

Panels: This week’s OSB market may have brought a glimpse of things to come. Improving weather in the southern regions brought buyers back to the table, and mills were able to extend order files and raise prices. Mill order files into mid-March helped firm producers’ resolve. Southern Pine plywood sales at mills improved on Wednesday, pushing rated sheathing prices higher and several order files into the week of March 10. Most rated sheathing prices adjusted $5 to $10 higher, with most exceptions gaining more than $10. Trading in the Western Fir plywood market remained strong enough to press sheathing prices higher for another week. Weather remained an issue in key areas like the Midwest and Northeast, but upticks in volumes moving into those regions and sales to western yards allowed mills to establish lead times more solidly out into early March. Canadian plywood producers described the market as “very quiet” and “slow” when they spoke of sales activity. They added that their order files are out to mid-March, in some cases, and they are having production problems due to cold temperatures and snow. Both MDF and particleboard producers reported a good sales week in which they sold above and beyond a week’s worth of production.

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