| ATHENS, GEORGIA – June 18, 2025 – The Forisk Wood Fiber Review (FWFR) reports that U.S. softwood weighted fiber prices rose by 2% year-over-year through Q2 2025 with Canadian prices up 5%. Hardwood roundwood fell 6% in the Southeast but increased in all other US regions. Softwood roundwood prices in the Southeast began to recover, as Hurricane Helene-downed fiber becomes unrecoverable due to deterioration. Roundwood prices also increased in all other US regions. In British Columbia, all reported prices were flat for the quarter. In Ontario/Quebec, hardwood roundwood prices dropped by 1% while softwood residual prices stayed flat.
Chip prices in Canada increased by 4% year-over-year. In British Columbia, softwood pulplog prices were flat for the quarter again. Delivered softwood chip prices rose by 3% in Alberta and 11% in East Ontario/Quebec year-over-year. According to Stephen Wright, Associate Editor of the FWFR, “The industry remains in a state of contraction, with potential policy interventions likely falling short or arriving too late. The impact of the trade war is already evident, as a major sawmilling company in Eastern Canada will temporarily lay off up to 1,400 workers, highlighting the struggle producers are encountering.”
U.S. roundwood prices increased 5% year-over-year, and chip prices fell by 2%, varying regionally. In the Pacific Northwest, prices for softwood residual chips rose by 5%, while softwood roundwood increased by 17% year-over-year. In the Lake States, chip prices and hardwood roundwood prices were mostly stable. Softwood roundwood prices in the region were up 5% for the quarter, and 5% for the year. The Northeast saw increases for softwood residual chips by 7% and 4% for softwood roundwood. In the Southeast, softwood roundwood increased by 10%, partially due to Hurricane Helene-downed wood deteriorating. Prices for other fiber products in the region were flat or decreased. In the South-Central region, all roundwood prices increased by at least 2% for the quarter. Softwood residual chips stayed flat year-over-year, but hardwood residual chips are down 7% from June 2024. Brooks Mendell, CEO of Forisk Consulting, commented, “On the policy side, reporter views converged from the wide range of ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ to a narrow range of ‘all the perceived chaos’ and ‘everything has calmed down.’ Politics disrupted markets, but folks are still doing business.”
Wood fiber costs account for over half of total pulp manufacturing costs worldwide. The Forisk Wood Fiber Review includes prices and market commentary for all major North American regions, providing essential data for anyone that needs to track pulpwood, wood chips, and biomass prices in the world’s largest and most dynamic wood fiber markets. The FWFR provides updates on softwood and hardwood prices for major markets in North America. Prices are reported for wood delivered to consuming plants as a range and average. Each report also updates U.S. and Canada trade statistics for lumber, logs, wood pellets, wood chips and pulp. | 
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