Lord Wood presents its timber brief for Monday, September 28, 2026. Our thoughts are with everyone affected across the region. This month’s picture for project buyers is unusual: the wood itself is cheap, but money and freight are expensive — and your contract should reflect both.
The Market
CME lumber futures closed Friday at $538 per thousand board feet, barely changed on the week and near a nine-month low, with trading volume well below normal as buyers sit out.
Madison’s index fell to $505. The cause is finance: global bond yields are at their highest in nearly two decades, and US mortgage rates are back above 7%, cooling housing demand.
The US-Canada dispute continues, with Ottawa’s 25% counter-tariff on US lumber and 50% on plywood.
The Regional Picture
Brent is near $107, up about 18% this month, and Gulf freight and war-risk premiums remain elevated.
At the same time, Iraq’s oil exports have recovered to over 3 million barrels a day, supporting construction and reconstruction demand across our markets.
For Our Partners — This Week’s Specifics
Lock timber prices now while the board market is soft.
With borrowing costly, negotiate delivery and payment together: staged deliveries matched to your project schedule, so you are not financing a full yard of stock.
Ask for landed, war-risk-inclusive quotes, and insist on grading and moisture certificates with every shipment.
The Honest Cautions
Weak US data could hold prices low for longer; a rate cut or US-Canada deal would lift them quickly; Gulf freight can reprice week to week.
The commodity is the bargain — manage the money and the route around it.
Lord Wood — Quality timber for serious projects, priced honestly and delivered on schedule.
Contact us for specifications, certificates and delivered quotations.
