| ATHENS, GEORGIA – January 8, 2026 – The Forisk Wood Fiber Review (FWFR) reports that weighted average U.S. prices for roundwood and chips (combined) fell 6% in Q4 2025 and are down 6% from Q4 2024. The same prices in Canada were down 3% for the quarter and flat year-over-year. Softwood roundwood prices were either flat or down in Q4 across the U.S. and Canada. Production at most facilities slowed for the quarter as demand was insufficient to counter high operating costs and reduced investment. Curtailments and down-time were widespread in Q4.
British Columbia softwood roundwood prices were flat for the quarter while hardwood roundwood prices were down 2% in E. Ontario/Quebec. Delivered softwood chip prices were down 2% and 6% in British Columbia and Alberta, respectively. They were flat in E. Ontario/Quebec. According to Chris King, Product Manager of the FWFR, “Canadian forest products facilities are struggling to stay afloat with higher U.S. tariffs/duties and limited fiber availability. Higher costs and low demand have caused delayed investment, curtailed operations, and closures in some cases.”
U.S. softwood roundwood prices fell 14% in the U.S. Southeast as the market was adapting to new market realities in 2025 in light of closures. They fell 3% in the Northeast and were flat in all other regions. Softwood residual chip prices were down 5% in the Southeast, down 1% in the Northeast, and up 1% in other U.S. regions. Hardwood roundwood prices were down 7% and 4% in the Northeast and Southeast, respectively, while rising 6% in the South Central region. Northwest hardwood roundwood was up 1% and Lake States prices were flat. Hardwood residual chip prices were up 1% and 7% in the Southeast and South Central regions. They fell 1% in the Lake States and were flat in other regions. Brooks Mendell, CEO of Forisk Consulting, commented on PNW markets, “With prices down and overall lumber markets soft, several timberland owners and managers indicated that they had largely finished their harvesting activities for 2025 as of October and November.” This trend was seen in many regions as inventories were high and operations slowed. All are hoping to see markets pick up in 2026.
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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