Exports of logs and lumber from the U.S. and Canada to China are on pace to reach a record US$2.6 billion in 2011, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly.
The report stated that lumber shipments from Canada alone could reach US$1.2 billion this year.
In 2010, the two countries exported US$1.3 billion worth of softwood products. If the pace of exports in the first seven months of 2011 remains steady, the two countries’ exports will more than double from last year.
The report notes that, while the U.S. housing market has remained slow, many sawmills in the Western states and Canada have benefitted from the increase in demand from Chinese lumber consumers.
The biggest increase in shipments this past year has been that of softwood lumber from B.C., most of which comes from timber devastated by pine beetle infestation.
In 2005, only 4% of all softwood logs and lumber imported to China originated from North America. Last year, this share had gone up to 18%, according to the quarterly.
Jennifer Harrison
@JHarrisonBIV