Lumber Prices Are Flashing a Warning Sign for the U.S. Economy: Tariffs, Housing Affordability & Market Volatility | NAHB Analysis
Lumber Prices Are Flashing a Warning Sign for the U.S. Economy: Tariffs, Housing Affordability & Market Volatility | NAHB Analysis Key Takeaways Lumber prices have plummeted to near one-year lows, dropping 17.82% in just a month amid oversupply and weak homebuilding demand . Tariffs on Canadian lumber have more than doubled from 14.4% to 35.2%, creating supply chain disruptions and inventory backlogs . U.S. sawmill production remains surprisingly low at just 64.4% of capacity despite high prices and demand, worsening supply shortages . Housing affordability has reached crisis levels, with nearly 100 million U.S. households unable to afford a median-priced home . Economic warning signs are emerging as lumber's decline points to broader concerns about construction, manufacturing, and consumer demand . Recent Lumber Price Trends: What's Happening Right Now Lumber prices have taken a dramatic fall in recent weeks, dropping to levels we haven't seen in nearl...