The value of BC’s softwood lumber exports for the first 10 months of 2013 have broken a new record, Forests Minister Steve Thomson announced December 13.
To the end of October 2013, the value of total softwood lumber exports to China reached $1.17 billion — exceeding the previous record set in 2011 when softwood lumber exports to China totalled $1.1 billion.
BC’s October shipments of lumber to China also broke new records for monthly volume (865,000 cubic metres) and value ($145.5 million).
Lumber Exports, BC
The value of BC’s lumber exports to Japan and the US to the end of October also have surpassed recent years’ totals, the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said.
Softwood lumber exports to the US are at $2.13 billion (compared to $2 billion for all of 2012), and to Japan at $703 million (compared to $674 million for all of 2012).
The increase in value reflects both higher shipment volumes to these markets in 2013 as well as increased lumber prices.