Lumber fell to 612.13 USD/1000 board feet on July 3, 2025, down 0.47% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lumber's price has risen 3.47%, and is up 37.26% compared to the same time last year, 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 July of 2025.

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.

Explore the factors influencing softwood lumber prices, including supply chain disruptions, trade tariffs, and environmental policies. Understand the volatility and broader economic trends affecting builders and policymakers.

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.

The lumber market remains stagnant due to potential tariffs and severe weather, affecting trading and production, as Canadian exporters await clarity on U.S. import duties.

The lumber industry has experienced significant volatility in recent years, with fluctuating prices impacting both the market and wider economy. During the pandemic, a housing boom driven by low interest rates and increased disposable income led to a surge in demand for lumber, significantly boosting mill revenues. However, prices later tumbled, affecting revenue as higher interest rates cooled the housing market and reduced demand for construction. Lumber production and shipments experienced declines, and the industry faced operating losses due to decreased demand. Looking ahead, prices are expected to rise due to tariffs on Canadian lumber imports and previous supply shortages, although high mortgage rates may still dampen demand. The ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. has resulted in increased tariffs, impacting Canadian producers who supply softwood lumber to the US market. Industry revenue is expected to rise at a CAGR of 2.6% to $51.6 billion through the end of 2025, with 2.0% growth forecast for the current year. Industry profit is expected to recover alongside rising lumber prices this year as well. The US housing market plays a crucial role in the lumber industry by driving demand for wooden materials used in construction and renovation. Despite past challenges with high interest rates and elevated home prices hurting residential investments and reducing lumber demand, there is optimism that the recent Federal Reserve rate will eventually translate to lower mortgage rates, potentially rejuvenating the housing market and building material demand. Even with these promising signs, a significant affordability barrier remains as home prices continue to overshadow median incomes, discouraging many first-time buyers and thus impeding growth in the housing market, impacting lumber demand negatively. The industry is also dealing with profitability challenges due to high costs and declining lumber prices, which have led to sawmill closures and under-utilization of capacities, emphasizing the importance of operational efficiency. As a response, the industry is likely to see consolidation within domestic mill operations to maintain profitability amid market fluctuations. A notable development in the sector is the growth of the cross-laminated timber (CLT) specialist subsector, which promises a boom, supported by innovations in fire retardant technology and approvals for new timber certifications, like eastern hemlock trees, broadening opportunities for sustainable construction. Revenue is expected to increase at a CAGR of 1.6% to $55.9 billion through the end of 2030.

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.

Explore the factors influencing current lumber prices, including supply chain disruptions, demand fluctuations, and economic policies. Understand the market dynamics post-pandemic, its impact on construction costs, and the role of tariffs, trade policies, and sustainability practices.

The industry has faced global lumber price volatility, creating challenging conditions for wholesalers and downstream clients like construction contractors, home improvement stores and hardware stores. In 2021 and 2022, the price of lumber soared globally as demand for new construction soared, especially in the United States. While exports and imports are not tracked at a wholesale level, many companies do sell across the border; as a result, conditions in the United States affect revenue. However, construction activity has since slowed, tempering demand from downstream markets. With industry revenue forecast to decline 0.2% in 2024 alone, the overall industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.8% to $15.6 billion over the five years to 2024. The fate of wholesalers has largely been tied to the volatility of downstream construction markets. The COVID-19 pandemic supercharged demand, especially as the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates to stimulate the housing market in the United States. However, construction activity has since been pressured as the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada have raised interest rates to combat inflation, contributing to the sharp decline in lumber prices. In 2024, the Bank of Canada began to cut rates, and the Federal Reserve is set to follow suit. Cumulatively, volatile lumber demand, seesawing prices and the imposition of duties have driven down profit margins across the industry. Lumber wholesalers are expected to see growth moving forward. Currently heightened interest rates are expected to be gradually cut over the coming years, stimulating demand from downstream construction markets. In tandem, the selling price of lumber is expected to climb, though it will not likely see the rampant inflation of recent years. Consequently, industry revenue is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 2.1% to $17.3 billion over the five years to 2029.

Explore the volatile landscape of lumber prices influenced by supply chain disruptions, demand fluctuations, tariffs, housing market trends, and sustainability concerns, as well as the impact of natural disasters and geopolitical factors shaping the industry in 2023.

This briefing package provided to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade for their appearance before the Standing Committee on International Trade on June 4, 2021 is disclosed pursuant to the Access to Information Act which requires federal institutions to proactively publish various types of information that would be of interest to the public since June 21, 2019.

Colombia Imports: FOB: TARIC: Wood & Articles Of Wood, Wood Charcoal data was reported at 24.921 USD mn in Sep 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.437 USD mn for Aug 2024. Colombia Imports: FOB: TARIC: Wood & Articles Of Wood, Wood Charcoal data is updated monthly, averaging 13.124 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to Sep 2024, with 321 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.798 USD mn in Aug 2022 and a record low of 1.058 USD mn in Aug 1999. Colombia Imports: FOB: TARIC: Wood & Articles Of Wood, Wood Charcoal data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Tax and Customs Directorate. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.JA035: Imports: by Main Tariff Chapters.

Wood framing contractors have navigated a challenging landscape marked by fluctuating housing starts and rising costs. In recent years, their fortunes have been mainly tied to the ebb and flow of residential construction, which has seen significant volatility. The low interest rates of 2020 and 2021 spurred substantial growth in housing starts, boosting single-family and multifamily projects. However, interest rate hikes in 2022 slowed single-family construction, although multifamily units showed resilience. Yet, as interest rates remained high, the multifamily sector also took a hit by 2023, reflecting broader trends in housing starts. Single-family housing starts rebounded in 2024 amid low housing stock, but multifamily housing starts bottomed out. Still, contractors found stability in single-family attached projects. Industry revenue has been increasing at a CAGR of 1.8% over the past five years to total an estimated $31.5 billion in 2025, including an estimated gain of 1.9% in 2025. Over the past five years, lumber prices soared, driven by supply chain disruptions and environmental factors like wildfires and pest infestations. This has made profitability a challenge for contractors. Labor shortages exacerbated the issue, forcing wage hikes to attract workers as retirements outpaced the entry of new labor. Despite these pressures, slow growth among new entrants has mitigated some price competition. Meanwhile, home improvement projects offered some relief, though DIY trends and high interest rates tempered this growth. On the nonresidential front, contractors missed opportunities in surging warehouse and data center construction, where demand for steel and concrete sidelined wood. Wood framing contractors face a complex future shaped by persistent high rates and evolving construction demands. The potential for rate cuts could revive single-family projects, yet lumber tariffs and labor shortages loom large. Anticipated housing shortages might offer a silver lining in residential construction, but stricter fire-resistant codes in wildfire-prone areas challenge traditional wood framing. Contractors will need to adapt to labor shortages by embracing prefabrication and modular techniques. The growing demand for hotel and retail construction provides a promising avenue, while office-to-multifamily conversions could further boost opportunities. Industry revenue is forecast to climb at a CAGR of 2.1% to total an estimated $35.0 billion through the end of 2030.

Colombia Imports: CIF: TARIC: Pulp of Wood, Waste of Paper or Paperboard data was reported at 15.544 USD mn in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 17.927 USD mn for Jan 2025. Colombia Imports: CIF: TARIC: Pulp of Wood, Waste of Paper or Paperboard data is updated monthly, averaging 11.365 USD mn from Jan 1998 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 326 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.812 USD mn in Sep 2022 and a record low of 2.691 USD mn in Nov 1998. Colombia Imports: CIF: TARIC: Pulp of Wood, Waste of Paper or Paperboard data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Administrative Department of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.JA035: Imports: by Main Tariff Chapters.