Today, Monday 26 October 2026, timber prices remain soft. US lumber futures settled at $518.50 per 1,000 board feet on 23 October, down 0.9% on the day, 3.5% on the month and about 12% on the year.
The main reason is weak US housing. Mortgage rates near 7.4% are the highest in about three years, and homebuilder confidence is at a 14-year low. With the Fed meeting this week and markets expecting another hike by December, borrowing costs may stay high.
For Lord Wood customers, soft prices are good for buying, but freight is the hidden cost. Brent oil is near $115, and some sawmills report trouble finding carriers.
Example: 1,000 board feet equals about 2.36 cubic metres, so $518.50 works out to roughly $220 per cubic metre. A container loaded with an illustrative 55 m³ would be about $12,100 at futures-level pricing, before freight, duties and grading premiums.
Advice for partners: Lock in timber price and freight together, and keep orders sized to near-term projects rather than building heavy stock.
The honest caution: Futures prices are a reference, not a delivered price. Freight, fuel and supply changes can move your real cost quickly.
Lord-Wood.com — quality timber, clear pricing.
