U.S. lumber prices in 2020 and 2021 set record highs even when adjusted for inflation

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NAHB/Fordaq
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Most analyses of U.S. lumber price trends and levels fail to account for inflation because the price data for softwood lumber used in framing applications is generally quoted using the Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price or lumber futures prices–neither of which is inflation-adjusted. Adjusting for inflation shows that, although the historical price differences are smaller in real terms than nominal, the inflation-adjusted price of lumber set records in both 2020 and 2021, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NABH).

Lumber prices began soaring shortly after the pandemic hit the United States in early-2020.  The Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price, an industry benchmark, increased roughly 175 percent between April and September, setting all-time highs each of the final nine weeks over that span. In May 2021, the FLCP topped $1,500 per thousand board feet ($1,500/mbf) – nearly three times the pre-pandemic record.  The price of framing lumber averaged roughly $550 in 2020 and nearly $850 in 2021, each a new annual record.

Even after adjusting for inflation, the average price of framing lumber in 2021 was 17% above its 25-year average and broke the prior record set in 1996. The FLCP series shown has been adjusted using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index (PPI) for softwood lumber.

As the PPI for softwood lumber is derived from component series, the nominal prices may also be deflated using the most salient sub-index – the PPI for softwood cut stock and dimension. Doing so highlights the fact that prices in both 2020 as well as 2021 were unprecedented. The average real price of lumber exceeded the prior record by 4.3% in 2020 and 2.4% in 2021. Over that 24-month span, real prices were 37% above the historical average.

The Random Lengths Framing Lumber Composite Price has more than tripled since late August 2021 and front-month lumber futures have roughly doubled.  Although mill prices have eased slightly in the past couple of weeks, it will take a sustained downward trend for the typical builder to get any relief.  Due to the mechanics of the lumber supply chain, builders and homeowners are unfortunately the last to see their costs go down.

Unfortunately, increases in output of the U.S. softwood lumber industry over the past 18 months have been negligible even as housing starts have soared.  As housing demand remains strong, the only structural means by which another dubious price record is avoided is increased sawmill output.

 

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