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.

Lumber rose to 601.47 USD/1000 board feet on March 16, 2026, up 0.25% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lumber's price has risen 1.34%, but it is still 9.22% 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 March 16 of 2026.

Lumber rose to 601.47 USD/1000 board feet on March 16, 2026, up 0.25% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lumber's price has risen 1.34%, but it is still 9.22% 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 597.20 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 542.88 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Soybeans 1,155.25 -70.00 -5.71% 1.87% 13.76% Mar/16
Wheat 597.00 -16.75 -2.73% 11.02% 5.01% Mar/16
Lumber 601.45 1.45 0.24% 1.34% -9.22% Mar/16
Cheese 1.63 0.0057 0.35% 6.38% -5.42% Mar/16
Palm Oil 4,572.00 36.00 0.79% 14.27% 0.73% Mar/12
Milk 16.17 -0.01 -0.06% 7.37% -12.36% Mar/16
Cocoa 3,389.02 92.02 2.79% -2.22% -56.94% Mar/16
Cotton 68.43 2.584 3.92% 7.53% 2.26% Mar/16
Rubber 195.00 -3.10 -1.56% 1.19% 0.78% Mar/16
Orange Juice 199.35 0.05 0.03% 2.79% -23.00% Mar/16
Coffee 293.06 7.91 2.77% 3.52% -24.73% Mar/16
Oat 358.75 -17.5000 -4.65% 14.89% -2.78% Mar/16
Wool 1,783.00 0 0% 5.32% 43.56% Mar/16
Rice 11.33 -0.0450 -0.40% 5.35% -15.95% Mar/16
Canola 702.76 -37.14 -5.02% 4.14% 23.35% Mar/16
Sugar 14.18 -0.19 -1.33% 5.19% -28.89% Mar/16
Corn 454.75 -12.5000 -2.68% 6.69% -1.36% Mar/16


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
601.47 600.00 1711.20 -1.00 1978 - 2026 USD/1000 board feet Daily

News Stream
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
Lumber Hits 4-week High
Lumber increased to 602.00 USD/1000 board feet, the highest since February 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Lumber gained 1.1%, and in the last 12 months, it decreased 9.51%.
2026-03-13
Lumber Falls to 2-Month Low
Lumber futures fell toward $550 per thousand board feet, marking a two-month low as persistent imbalances in the North American housing market continue to erode commodity valuation. While January housing starts rose to 1.487 million units the growth in multi family projects failed to offset the 2.8% decline in single family construction which remains the primary driver of lumber consumption. High mortgage rates and elevated property prices have stalled new residential developments and left distributors with an oversupply of seasonal inventory. This supply glut has forced regional dealers to implement deep discounts to manage yard space during a period of unseasonably low jobsite activity. Furthermore the strengthening dollar has increased the cost of domestic production and limited export competitiveness for major mills. Still the escalating conflict in the Middle East and rising energy costs remain critical factors that could shift the inflationary outlook for construction materials.
2026-03-12