EP 161: Miss It Today, Pay Up Tomorrow

The lumber market just flipped. What looked slow turned into real buying, tightening supply, and rising prices—fast. This week, the crew breaks down why low-grade and studs are leading, freight is becoming a major constraint, and order files are pushing into April. Buyers who waited are now chasing, while supply cuts and steady demand raise a bigger question: are we already short of wood? If so, this move may just be getting started.

Timeline

0:00 – Market flips from slow to active

2:30 – Low-grade & studs lead strength

7:00 – Prices up ~$100+ since Nov

10:00 – Order files into April

12:00 – Freight tightening supply

15:00 – Buyers now chasing

28:00 – Supply vs demand imbalance

35:00 – Early innings of the move

Advertiser

Fastmarkets RISI

Dustin Jalbert

Senior Economist Wood Products

djalbert@fastmarkets.com

www.fastmarkets.com

Show Contacts:

Gregg Riley: Gregg@sitkainc.com

Charles DeLaTorre: cdelatorre@ifpwood.com

Matt Beymer: mattbeymer@hamptonlumber.com

Ashley Boeckholt: ashley@sitkainc.com