US softwood lumber production up by 5.2%

Source:
WWPA/Fordaq
Views:
1093
  • text size

US sawmills produced 5.625 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber in the first two months of 2018, a 5.2% year-over-year increase from 5.346 bbf, the Western Wood Products Assn. (WWPA) reported in its latest Lumber Track report.

Of the two-month total, Western U.S. sawmills accounted for 2.426 bbf, up 11.8% from 2.170 bbf a year earlier, while Southern sawmills contributed 2.934 bbf, up 0.3% from 2.924 bbf.

In February alone, US sawmills produced 2.712 bbf, up 1.2% from 2.681 bbf last year, but down 6.9% from January’s output of 2.913 bbf.

Western sawmills contributed 1.157 bbf to February’s total, up 6.8% from 1.083 bbf in February last year, but 8.8% lower than January’s output of 1.269 bbf.

Southern sawmills produced 1.427 bbf in February, down 3.0% from 1.471 bbf a year earlier, and down 5.3% from January’s production volume of 1.507 bbf.

Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption was 7.475 bbf in the first two months, down 3.5% from 7.744 bbf in the same period last year. Consumption in February was 3.580 bbf, down 8.6% from 3.918 bbf a year earlier, and down 8.1% from 3.894 bbf in January 2018.

Post comment