Interfor Restores Second Shift at Grand Forks Sawmill

Impact on Your Procurement Strategy

Interfor is doubling shifts at its Grand Forks facility, marking a production increase for British Columbia. The mill, which ran with 68 employees since late 2025, will return its planer mill to two shifts by late June 2026. This adds to regional WSPF availability. While the Mayor of Grand Forks noted that log supply remains a bottleneck, the move toward full capacity eases the tight production seen last year.

Demand is currently moving sideways. Prices shifted only 0.4% over the last three weeks. Distributor inventories are balanced, and the market lacks the usual seasonal volatility of early summer. At 1.3%, volatility is low, meaning the market has handled recent supply changes without price shocks. Framing lumber appears well-supplied relative to current construction activity.

Avoid speculative bulk buying. With 0.96 confidence in price stability, the risk of a sudden spike is low. Prices have hit a plateau, so there is little benefit to over-buying. Focus on 14-day inventory turns to keep stock fresh. Keep an eye on BC log harvest constraints, which could still limit capacity gains through 2026.

Expect Framing Lumber prices to stay in a narrow range through the end of Q2. Grand Forks' extra supply helps offset Western Canadian shortages and keeps the market in equilibrium. Maintain a neutral buying stance unless logistics or harvest issues extend lead times.

Key Takeaways

• Interfor is doubling Grand Forks shifts and returning the planer mill to a two-shift schedule by late June 2026.

• Market volatility is low at 1.3%. Frequent, small-batch replenishment is more effective than speculative summer buys.

• Fiber availability remains the main constraint on 2026 production despite the shift increases in BC.

Market Outlook

Pricing Trend: STABLE

Confidence Level: HIGH

Recommended Action: Stick to 14-day replenishment cycles through June 2026. With Interfor adding capacity and 0.96 stability confidence, avoid bulk buying and focus on inventory turns for WSPF.

How LumberFlow Helps

Use the weekly price forecast to confirm 7-day stability before ordering Western SPF. Check daily market insights for regional shifts and use LumberFlow to secure mill pricing.

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