VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 11, 2025 /CNW/ - Log exports from USA to the world dropped -27% so far this year compared to 2024, and lumber exports fell almost -9%.
Since 1952 Madison's Lumber Reporter has established itself as the most reliable source for North American lumber prices and forest industry news. We understand that the market responds to a variety of inputs. By providing a true 360º perspective on all aspects of wood products' manufacturing, Madison's makes you better equipped to anticipate other market conditions, like housing or energy.
This month is no different, so let's dive into the data:
- US log exports to China plummeted -95% in January to August, to US$7 million, from US$132 million for the same time in 2024. That to Japan increased +5%, to US$150 million for the first eight months of 2025, from US$143 million last year.
- Lumber exports from USA to the world fell -9% year-to-date, from US$633 million in 2024 to US$577 million this year. Exports to Canada, China, and Japan all fell, by -30%, -44%, and -30% respectively.
- US lumber imports from the world increased by +3.4%, for January to August this year compared to the same time in 2024, lead by Europe which was up +15%, to US$833 million, from US$723 million for the first eight months of last year. That from Canada dropped -1.2%, to US$3,425 million, from US$3,467 million in 2024.
Total log exports from USA to the world were US$347 million for the first eight months of 2025, compared to US$474 million last year. US lumber exports to Canada were US$95 million for January to August this year, compared to US$137 million in 2024.
US lumber imports from Chile increased +30.4% year-to-date, from US$117 million in 2024 to US$153 million this year.
The changes to trade flows between USA and other countries, specifically with China and Canada, are starkly visible in the attached graphs.
Shrewd investors know that construction framing softwood lumber prices are a good leading indicator for US housing activity, including home building and home sales.Don't miss out, get lumber price data updates directly to your desktop every Friday morning.
Due to the two-month US government shutdown, there is a big delay in the usual monthly data releases. Canada is holding back respective data updates to match release dates with the US. In the coming week these will all become available; Madison's will then provide the very latest information and facts.
In the week ending December 05, 2025 the price of benchmark construction framing dimension softwood lumber commodity Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2x4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$380 mfbm, which was down -$10, or -3%, from the previous week when it was $390, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison's Lumber Reporter. That week's price was down -$25, or -6%, from one month ago when it was $405.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$460 mfbm, that price was down -$70, or -15%. Compared to two years ago when it was $404, that week's price was down -$14, or -3%.
STAY AHEAD of US housing price data by getting access to softwood lumber prices. Released every Friday for that week, since 1952 Madison's Lumber Prices is used by the forest products industry as a price guide for North American construction framing dimension softwood lumber. These are, of course, the inputs into US and Canadian home building materials.
For its part, in the week ending December 05, 2025 the price of Southern Yellow Pine – East Side 2x4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$350 mfbm, which was flat from the previous week, said Madison's Lumber Reporter. That week's price was down -$4, or -1%, from one month ago when it was $354.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$435 mfbm, that price was down -$85, or -20%. Compared to two years ago when it was $405, that week's price was down -$55, or -14%.
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Established in 1952, Madison's Lumber Prices is your premiere source for North American softwood lumber news, prices, industry insight, and industry contacts. The weekly Madison's Lumber Reporter publishes current Canadian and US construction framing dimension lumber and panel wholesaler pricing information 50 weeks a year and access to historical pricing as well.
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SOURCE Madison's Lumber Reporter
Keta Kosman, Publisher, Madison's Lumber Reporter, est. 1952, Vancouver, BC, Canada, www.madisonsreport.com, 604 319-2266
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