Lumber futures retreated toward $590 per thousand board feet as the cooling of the North American residential construction sector eroded the demand floor that had supported the market since January. The primary downward pressure stems from a slowdown in housing activity where single-family starts plunged 14.2% in March and building permits fell 5.4% signaling a sharp reduction in seasonal requirements. This demand destruction was catalyzed by a 11 basis point surge in mortgage rates to 6.45% following the Federal Reserve decision to hold interest rates steady alongside global inflationary spikes. While geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz initially pushed energy costs higher, the resulting increase in financing costs and a 10% drop in US housing starts outweighed the potential for supply chain disruptions. Furthermore a 2.4% increase in unsold builder inventory forced price cuts.

Lumber fell to 596.50 USD/1000 board feet on April 2, 2026, down 1.57% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lumber's price has risen 7.67%, but it is still 1.32% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Lumber reached an all time high of 1711.20 in May of 2021. Lumber - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on April 3 of 2026.

Lumber fell to 596.50 USD/1000 board feet on April 2, 2026, down 1.57% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lumber's price has risen 7.67%, but it is still 1.32% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Lumber is expected to trade at 566.92 USD/1000 board feet by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 539.26 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Soybeans 1,163.50 -5.00 -0.43% 0.67% 15.03% Apr/02
Wheat 598.25 0.75 0.13% 4.54% 11.61% Apr/02
Lumber 596.50 -9.50 -1.57% 7.67% -1.32% Apr/02
Cheese 1.74 0.0260 1.52% 2.77% 3.26% Apr/02
Palm Oil 4,791.00 22.00 0.46% 14.37% 6.70% Apr/02
Milk 17.73 0.24 1.37% 18.91% 4.42% Apr/02
Cocoa 3,250.53 5.53 0.17% 6.23% -61.76% Apr/03
Cotton 70.88 -0.042 -0.06% 10.47% 11.97% Apr/03
Rubber 198.80 -4.60 -2.26% -2.21% 7.17% Apr/02
Orange Juice 199.47 0.07 0.04% 2.82% -12.09% Apr/03
Coffee 295.98 0.58 0.19% 3.40% -19.27% Apr/03
Oat 345.50 -1.5000 -0.43% 9.77% -1.85% Apr/02
Wool 1,786.00 0 0% 4.08% 42.99% Apr/03
Rice 11.23 -0.0500 -0.44% 6.09% -14.11% Apr/02
Canola 727.16 0.16 0.02% 2.50% 17.44% Apr/03
Sugar 14.96 -0.04 -0.26% 8.97% -20.91% Apr/03
Corn 452.25 -2.0000 -0.44% 4.15% -1.15% Apr/02


Lumber
Lumber is wood that has been processed into beams and plank. The biggest producers of lumber are concentrated in the Baltic Sea region and North America. The futures contract traded on Chicago Mercantile Exchange specifies that the lumber must be manufactured in certain U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Lumber prices displayed in Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments. Our market prices are intended to provide you with a reference only, rather than as a basis for making trading decisions. Trading Economics does not verify any data and disclaims any obligation to do so.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
596.50 606.00 1711.20 -1.00 1978 - 2026 USD/1000 board feet Daily

News Stream
Lumber Retreats on Lackluster Demand
Lumber futures retreated toward $590 per thousand board feet as the cooling of the North American residential construction sector eroded the demand floor that had supported the market since January. The primary downward pressure stems from a slowdown in housing activity where single-family starts plunged 14.2% in March and building permits fell 5.4% signaling a sharp reduction in seasonal requirements. This demand destruction was catalyzed by a 11 basis point surge in mortgage rates to 6.45% following the Federal Reserve decision to hold interest rates steady alongside global inflationary spikes. While geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz initially pushed energy costs higher, the resulting increase in financing costs and a 10% drop in US housing starts outweighed the potential for supply chain disruptions. Furthermore a 2.4% increase in unsold builder inventory forced price cuts.
2026-03-30
Lumber Drops Below $600
Lumber futures fell below $600 per thousand board feet as a slowdown in the North American housing market and rising financing costs outweighed persistent supply constraints. This downward pressure was driven by a 5.4% decline in building permits and a sharp 14.2% collapse in single-family housing starts, which signaled a cooling of construction activity as the spring season began. Additionally, 30-year fixed mortgage rates climbed to 6.22% following the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady, the market was further pressured by a sharp drop in crude oil prices that reduced the energy-heavy transport and production overheads. These factors effectively neutralized the marginal one-point gain in the NAHB Housing Market Index to 38, leaving 37% of builders reliant on deep price cuts to move a 2.4% increase in unsold inventory. Structural supply issues like the 45% combined duties on Canadian softwood and ongoing sawmill closures continue to provide a floor.
2026-03-23
Lumber Rebounds past $600
Lumber futures climbed past $600 per thousand board feet as stabilizing housing sentiment and tightening production capacity across North America reversed a two month downward trend. The NAHB Housing Market Index edged up to 38 in March with buyer traffic and future sales expectations showing marginal gains despite persistent economic uncertainty. While 37% of builders continue to offer price cuts to attract buyers the market is finding support from a 29.1% surge in multifamily housing starts and a 7.2% rise in total residential construction activity. On the supply side mill closures and elevated duties on Canadian imports are projected to remove over 1.3 billion board feet from the market this year. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East further pressure the outlook as rising energy costs inflate transport and shipping expenses for global timber. These factors suggest a shift toward a supply constrained environment that offsets the impact of high mortgage rates.
2026-03-16