Lumber Falls to Nine-Month Low

2026-09-17 16:58 By Larissa Caser 1 min. read

Lumber futures fell below $550 per thousand board feet, reaching their lowest level in nine months, as elevated borrowing costs continued to weigh on demand.

The US housing market remains tight, with mortgage rates near their highest level in over a year and showing no sign of easing after the Federal Reserve hiked its key policy rate, weighing on demand from prospective homebuyers.

Building permits also fell 2.7% over the month, although a 7.6% increase in lumber-intensive single-family housing starts in August.

Provided an offsetting pressure, US-Canada trade talks fell through, raising concerns over lumber supply.

Ottawa had announced counter-tariffs of 25% on US lumber and 50% on plywood following US tariffs on several lumber-related goods.

US forestry groups have long accused Canada of distorting the market, noting that 94% of Canadian forestland is publicly owned, compared with 58% privately owned in the US, allowing Canadian lumber to be sold at lower prices.



News Stream
Lumber Falls to Nine-Month Low
Lumber futures fell below $550 per thousand board feet, reaching their lowest level in nine months, as elevated borrowing costs continued to weigh on demand. The US housing market remains tight, with mortgage rates near their highest level in over a year and showing no sign of easing after the Federal Reserve hiked its key policy rate, weighing on demand from prospective homebuyers. Building permits also fell 2.7% over the month, although a 7.6% increase in lumber-intensive single-family housing starts in August. Provided an offsetting pressure, US-Canada trade talks fell through, raising concerns over lumber supply. Ottawa had announced counter-tariffs of 25% on US lumber and 50% on plywood following US tariffs on several lumber-related goods. US forestry groups have long accused Canada of distorting the market, noting that 94% of Canadian forestland is publicly owned, compared with 58% privately owned in the US, allowing Canadian lumber to be sold at lower prices.
2026-09-17
Lumber Hits 20-week Low
Lumber decreased to 553.00 USD/1000 board feet, the lowest since April 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Lumber lost 2.51%, and in the last 12 months, it decreased 1.48%.
2026-09-16
Lumber Falls to One-Month Low
Lumber futures traded near $560 per thousand board feet, after falling to its lowest level in over a month, amid an ongoing trade war between Canada and the US. Canadian Prime Minister Carney is turning to the Europe Union after walking away from trade talks with US President Trump, which accounted for the largest portion of its trade. Ottawa had announced counter-tariffs of 25% on US lumber and 50% on Plywood following US tariffs on several lumber-related goods. US forestry groups have long accused Canada of distorting the market, as 94% of Canadian forestland is publicly owned compared to 58% privately owned in the US, allowing Canadian lumber to be sold at a lower price. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are closing in on 7% for the first time since the beginning of 2025, further weighing on housing demand from prospective home buyers already wincing at record-high home prices and an uncertain economy.
2026-09-15