The price of lumber in the United States fluctuated widely over the last five years, from a low of 240 dollars per 1,000 board feet in January 2016 to a peak of over 1,500 dollars in April 2021. This overall increase has not been linear though, with, for example, lumber prices falling by around 50 percent between June and September 2018, and again between August and October 2020. The value fell again by around 75 percent between May and August 2021. As of the end of December 2024, the price of lumber stood at 550.5 U.S. dollars per thousand board feet. Which nations are at the forefront of lumber production? The production of lumber is dependent on the availability of forest resources, market demand, and technological advances. Sustainable forest management practices a continuous supply of timber, while economic factors and construction activity drive demand. Among the countries countries with the largest production of lumber were China and the United States. Other countries with a relatively high lumber production rate were Russia, China, and Brazil.

Lumber rose to 604.07 USD/1000 board feet on August 21, 2025, up 1.16% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lumber's price has fallen 10.18%, but it is still 15.82% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Lumber - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on August of 2025.

Non-seasonal prices paid for softwood lumber in the United States have remained relatively stable since 2023, after reaching a peak in March 2022. While the price of softwood lumber in May 2021 was valued at over 581 index points, that figure dropped to 274 in September of that year. The price of softwood veneer and plywood in the United States has also followed a similar trend.

Timber prices in the United Kingdom fell slightly in 2024, after those prices decreased significantly in 2023. The price index of imported sawn or planed wood grew by ***** percent between 2020 and 2022, while the cost of imported plywood rose by ** percent during that period.

The price of lumber has seen both an overall increase, and large amounts of volatility since 2019. From its low in early April 2020 to its peak in May 2021, the price per 1,000 board feet of lumber increased almost sevenfold, reaching ***** U.S. dollars. Yet, after reaching this peak the price then fell to below *** U.S. dollars per 1,000 board feet in August 2021 before rising again to reach over 1,000 U.S. dollars in the beginning of 2022. Since then, the price per 1,000 board feet of lumber decreased overall, reaching *** U.S. dollars as of January 29, 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Lumber and Wood Products: Lumber (WPU081) from Jan 1926 to Jul 2025 about wood, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Australia Forest Product Price Index: Timber, Board and Joinery data was reported at 167.400 1989-1990=100 in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 147.250 1989-1990=100 for 2022. Australia Forest Product Price Index: Timber, Board and Joinery data is updated yearly, averaging 74.650 1989-1990=100 from Jun 1975 (Median) to 2023, with 49 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 167.400 1989-1990=100 in 2023 and a record low of 16.775 1989-1990=100 in 1975. Australia Forest Product Price Index: Timber, Board and Joinery data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I062: Price Index: Forest Product: 1989-90=100.

Over the past five years, the industry has experienced moderate growth, driven largely by a surge in residential construction activity during the early pandemic years. Elevated lumber prices, spurred by supply chain disruptions and a housing boom, helped lift industry revenue and profitability in 2020 and 2021. However, this momentum was disrupted as inflationary pressures and rising interest rates cooled the housing market and caused demand for lumber to drop. Profit, which expanded during the peak of price spikes, began to level off as mills operated below capacity and faced reduced pricing power. Still, investments in automation and efficiency allowed many operators to preserve profitability even as market volatility intensified. The industry also contended with shifting trade dynamics and global economic uncertainty. Ongoing trade disputes with Canada and reduced exports to key markets like China and Mexico contributed to weaker external demand. At the same time, domestic supply chains improved, and inventory buildup from prior overproduction softened raw material costs. While facility closures and consolidation helped restore a better supply-demand balance, overall growth remained modest. Industry revenue rose at a CAGR of 3.2% over the past five years, reaching $53.2 billion in 2025, including a 0.3% growth in 2025 alone. Looking ahead, the industry is expected to grow more slowly as it adjusts to structural shifts in housing demand and evolving building practices. While lower interest rates could help stabilize residential construction, long-term affordability challenges are likely to dampen recovery. However, emerging opportunities such as cross-laminated timber in mid-rise buildings and the repurposing of wood waste for energy and industrial inputs may help diversify revenue streams. Consolidation, paired with modest technological innovation and workforce expansion, will support operational resilience. Over the next five years, industry revenue is projected to grow at a slower CAGR of 1.8%, reaching $58.1 billion by 2030.

Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber: Sawn Timber data was reported at 128.200 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 128.200 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber: Sawn Timber data is updated monthly, averaging 101.600 2020=100 from Jan 2010 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 203.100 2020=100 in Nov 2021 and a record low of 82.300 2020=100 in Oct 2012. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber: Sawn Timber data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of Japan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I045: Producer Price Index: 2020=100: Lumber & Wood Products.

Crown timber charges are composed of:

1. stumpage price
2. Forestry Futures Trust charge
3. Forest Renewal Trust charge

The stumpage price is made up of 3 components:

1. minimum price: adjusted annually and set by species and product sector on April 1 of each year
2. residual value price: adjusted monthly and varies based on market prices of product sectors and species
3. administration: $1.00/cubic metre for trees exported outside Canada for manufacturing

Stumpage prices (minimum and residual value) are calculated by using the Ontario Crown Timber Prices (Stumpage) monthly tables.

The licensee or Agent for the Crown is responsible for paying Crown charges.

The Forestry Futures Trust provides funding to renew forest areas affected by natural disasters like fire, blowdown or disease. Funding could also be provided in the event of an insolvency of a major licensee.

The Forest Renewal Trust charge provides dedicated funding for forest renewal. This charge, which is set annually, varies depending upon anticipated renewal costs.

The operators of domestic sawmills and planing mills can look back on an ambivalent development in their industry over the past five years. Up until 2020, demand for their products was driven by very dynamic growth in the domestic construction industry. Despite rising raw material costs, industry players were also able to further expand their cut in 2021. An upturn in the export business also contributed to this, although primarily only the major industry players benefited from this. From 2022, the turnaround in interest rates in the European Economic Area caused the industry's production output to fall for the first time, although price effects initially masked the impact on industry sales. Since 2023, the shrinking construction volume in Germany has had an increasingly negative impact on sales prices and the earnings situation of industry players. Outside of the construction sector, the tense economic situation also dampened demand from customers such as the packaging industry. Overall, the industry's turnover therefore only grew by an average of 0.5% per year in the period between 2019 and 2024.For 2024, IBISWorld expects a decline in turnover of 8.6% to 7.6 billion euros. There are signs of a further decline in construction activity in Germany in the current year. Demand from manufacturers of wooden crates and pallets is also likely to develop negatively in 2024. Together with stagnating producer prices for products in the sawmill and planing industry, this is likely to lead to a significant decline in industry turnover in the current year.IBISWorld anticipates weak growth in industry sales over the next five years. The reason for this development is the cloudy situation in the construction industry for the foreseeable future. The still comparatively high interest rate level in the eurozone is likely to have a negative impact on the volume of new construction business in the construction industry over the next two years, despite the European Central Bank's reduction in the deposit rate in 2024. Export performance is likely to remain at a stable level. Under these circumstances, the industry's turnover is expected to increase by an average of 0.7% per year between 2024 and 2029, reaching a value of 7.8 billion euros in 2029.

Global Glued Laminated Timber market size was USD 6.49 Billion in 2022. Glued Laminated Timber Industry's Compound Annual Growth Rate will be 5.30% from 2023 to 2030. What is driving the Glued Laminated Timber Market?

Rise in the number of residential and commercial construction projects

The rise in the number of residential and commercial projects is a major driving factor contributing to the growth of the glued laminated timber (Glulam) market. Builders refer collectively to all types of laminated beams or other laminated structural wood materials such as glued laminated timber. Glulams are versatile construction materials used widely in commercial and residential projects. Glulam is gaining huge attention for being used in applications such as vaulted ceilings and designs with large open premises. Four appearance grades such as framing, industrial, architectural, and premium glulam are used when professionals looking into a combination of structural and aesthetic attributes. This includes a range of architectural applications, including education facilities, churches, offices, and homes. For example, China, the US, and India drive construction industry growth. Glued laminated wood is a highly innovative building material. It is stronger than steel and has greater strength and rigidity than wood. Increased design value, improved product performance, and cost competitiveness make laminated timber the perfect choice for projects ranging from simple beams and headers in residential construction to high arches in dome roofs. Glulam components are manufactured off-site in controlled factory conditions, ensuring high precision and quality. This prefabrication process allows for faster and more efficient construction on-site, reducing project timelines and costs. The dimensional stability of glued laminated timber also minimizes shrinkage and warping issues, leading to better construction accuracy. Additionally, its natural wood appearance and warm aesthetic appeal contribute to its popularity in architectural design. Glued laminated timber is increasingly used as a safe load-bearing material in residential and commercial construction. Manufacturers develop project-specific product solutions to meet the complex requirements of modern timber construction architecture. For example, the construction projects developed in the U.S. in 2021 are valued at nearly USD 1.6 trillion. In 2021, 1,337,800 housing units were built, which constitutes an increase of 4% compared to 2020. All these factors contribute to the growth of the glued laminated timber (Glulam) market.

The rising trend toward using sustainable building material (Access Detailed Analysis in the Full Report Version)


Rising demand for timber (Access Detailed Analysis in the Full Report Version)

Introduction of Glued Laminated Timber

Glued laminated timber is commonly known as glulam. It is a type of structurally engineered wood product commonly used for beams and columns in residential and commercial applications. It typically consists of several parallel layers of small pieces of lumber stacked and it is glued together under a certain pressure to make a large timber structure. It is also widely used for structural components such as arches of mid to high-rise buildings and affixed side-by-side to form panels. Along with this, it serves as the primary material for major load-bearing structures such as bridges, canopies, and pavilions. Glued laminated timber offers several benefits including durability, cost-effectiveness, and high versatility. These are also resource-efficient since they replace huge, old-growth timber with relatively small pieces of timber to produce a wooden part. Another benefit of glulam is product availability and variety in size and shape. In addition to this, one of the design advantages of Glulam is the ease of bending into the desired curve shape and into long lengths. Commercially available glue-laminated wood comes in lengths of 30 meters and cross sections ranging from 45 mm x 45 mm to 250 mm x 1800 mm. Nowadays, consumer preference is increasing for wood-based construction owing to its extensive benefits and advantages. Glulam is considered a sustainable building material because it is made from renewable resources wood. Sustainable building materials are becoming more important as worries about climate change and environmental effects increase. T...

The recent housing market cycle has driven the sawmill and wood production industry’s performance. Initially, the surge in residential construction and renovation in Canada and the US in 2021, spurred by low interest rates and high disposable incomes, drove significant demand for softwood lumber, leading to a 43.5% jump in revenue for industry mills. However, rising interest rates in 2022 cooled housing demand, causing a significant drop in lumber prices and revenue. In 2024, the industry faced ongoing challenges due to rising costs, tariffs and reduced demand, with major companies like West Fraser and Canfor reporting losses and closing mills to correct the supply-demand imbalance for lumber. The longstanding Canada-US trade dispute over softwood lumber continues, with tariffs raised to 14.54% in 2024, prompting Canada to file legal challenges. Further increases are expected to be implemented in 2025. The industry is grappling with the impacts of severe wildfires that hinder mill operations and access to timber resources, further exacerbating economic difficulties. As a result, over the past five years, revenue has fallen at an estimated annualized rate of 4.0% to $18.8 billion through the end of 2025, with low growth of 1.6% forecast for the current year. Future performance will depend on the US and Canadian housing markets, which are facing challenges relating to home affordability. Tariffs from the ongoing softwood lumber dispute between the US and Canada will continue to affect industry sawmills, prompting companies to adapt by improving efficiency or relocating facilities. Market conditions are pushing major lumber players to consolidate operations, with some acquiring mills in the US to bypass tariffs. Natural threats like wildfires and wood-boring insects pose ongoing risks to log supplies essential for sawmill operations. Over the next five years, industry revenue is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.7% to $20.5 billion through the end of 2030.

Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber data was reported at 132.100 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 131.300 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber data is updated monthly, averaging 134.600 2020=100 from Jan 2020 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 171.700 2020=100 in Oct 2021 and a record low of 98.500 2020=100 in Sep 2020. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of Japan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I045: Producer Price Index: 2020=100: Lumber & Wood Products.

Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber: Scantlings data was reported at 143.200 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 143.000 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber: Scantlings data is updated monthly, averaging 98.400 2020=100 from Jan 2010 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 183 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 189.100 2020=100 in Oct 2021 and a record low of 78.500 2020=100 in Feb 2010. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Timber: Scantlings data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of Japan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I045: Producer Price Index: 2020=100: Lumber & Wood Products.

Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Plywood, Glued Laminated Timber: GluedLaminatedLumber data was reported at 145.500 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 141.600 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Plywood, Glued Laminated Timber: GluedLaminatedLumber data is updated monthly, averaging 90.200 2020=100 from Jan 1985 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 483 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 272.600 2020=100 in Nov 2021 and a record low of 67.400 2020=100 in Apr 2002. Japan PPI: LU: LWP: Plywood, Glued Laminated Timber: GluedLaminatedLumber data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of Japan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I045: Producer Price Index: 2020=100: Lumber & Wood Products.

The Log Sawmilling industry has struggled in recent years. Revenue has dropped because of lower output and downstream demand combined with difficult operating conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Industry revenue is expected to have fallen at an annualised 0.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to total $2.48 billion. This trend includes a modest rise of 0.3% anticipated in the current year as wood harvesting volumes expand and domestic timber prices rise. Profit margins have remained low over the past five years, partly because of high costs. However, they’ve increased from a low base year due to several sawmillers’ attempts to improve efficiency through better processing equipment. Exports have fallen as a proportion of revenue with the pandemic disrupting supply chains. In particular, export volumes recovered in 2021-22 as global demand for New Zealand sawn wood increased significantly in overseas markets. The year also saw export volumes surge again as pandemic-related disruptions eased. However, exports have dropped off over the past three years due to weak demand for sawn wood from China, the third-largest export market for the industry. Revenue is set to edge upwards at an annualised 0.2% through the end of 2029-30 to $2.50 billion. Sawn wood production volumes will intensify at a stable pace, with falling timber prices limiting revenue growth. Steady downstream demand from timber resawyers and dressers, and from furniture and wood product manufacturers, will contribute to revenue expanding in the future. Small and inefficient sawmills exiting the industry will also support modest growth in profit margins as the remaining businesses continue their merger and acquisition activities, boosting their economies of scale and operations.

Japan ImPI: JPY Basis: LU: LWP: Timber data was reported at 158.900 2020=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 155.400 2020=100 for Feb 2025. Japan ImPI: JPY Basis: LU: LWP: Timber data is updated monthly, averaging 155.500 2020=100 from Jan 2020 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 260.300 2020=100 in Oct 2021 and a record low of 97.500 2020=100 in Oct 2020. Japan ImPI: JPY Basis: LU: LWP: Timber data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of Japan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I182: Import Price Index: 2020=100: JPY Basis: Lumber & Wood Products & Forest Products.

Japan ImPI: CCB: LU: LWP: Timber: Timber data was reported at 114.300 2020=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 115.600 2020=100 for Jan 2025. Japan ImPI: CCB: LU: LWP: Timber: Timber data is updated monthly, averaging 81.600 2020=100 from Jan 1980 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 542 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 243.900 2020=100 in Oct 2021 and a record low of 30.600 2020=100 in Jul 1985. Japan ImPI: CCB: LU: LWP: Timber: Timber data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bank of Japan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.I193: Import Price Index: 2020=100: Contract Currency Basis: Lumber & Wood Products & Forest Products.