Lumber prices buck downward trend

OTTAWA ― The Industrial Product Price Index (IPPI) declined 0.2% in November, mainly as a result of lower prices for primary non-ferrous metal products, according to the latest StatCan data. The Raw Materials Price Index (RMPI) fell 4%, led by lower prices for crude energy products. Among the 21 major commodity groups in the IPPI, 11 were up, eight were down and two were unchanged. Lumber and wood products prices rose by 1% from the previous November. The decline in the RMPI followed no change in October, and was in spite of a 5.2% rise in logs, pulpwood, natural rubber and other forestry products.