U.S. softwood lumber producer prices fell 2.9% in August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Prices were up 11.8% from a year earlier.
Final-demand producer prices rose 0.4% month over month and were up 5.4% year over year. The price index for inputs to new residential construction rose 1.1% in August and was up 7.8% from a year earlier.
Goods used in residential construction rose 0.9% month over month and were up 7.8% year over year. Energy inputs rose 6.6% in August but were up 46.2% from a year earlier, while residential building-material prices excluding energy edged up 0.2% for the month and were up 5.1% year over year. The year-over-year increase in residential building-material prices was the highest since July 2026.
Plywood producer prices rose 1.5% month over month and were up 10.7% year over year. Price movements among the tracked wood products were mixed. For reference, hardwood lumber producer prices fell 0.9% month over month and were up 1.7% year over year.
Residential construction service input prices rose 1.5% month over month and were up 7.8% year over year. Trade services were up 9.1% from a year earlier, transportation and warehousing services were up 14.4%, and other services were up 2.6%.