Values of British Columbia forest products exports for full-year 2018 increased by +5.2% compared to the previous year, detailed the Economic Services Branch of the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Friday. As well, Monday morning the CBC had a visit to the construction site of the new San Group sawmill in Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island just off the coast of British Columbia.
At a sawmill indefinitely curtailing by Western Forest Products in 2017, due to industry pressures such as the softwood lumber dispute, construction has started on a new $70-million sawmill and manufacturing facility for high value products said CBC Monday morning. In 1981, there were approximately 1,200 workers in the mill then in 1989, there were still 450. San Group is investing in a new production facility and associated re-manufacturing plants. It plans to produce high-value engineered wood products from smaller logs.
Highlights for Year-to-Date BC Softwood Lumber Exports
B.C. export values are up 5.2% for 2018 YTD December compared to the same period in 2017 ($14.89 billion vs. $14.16). Lumber value is down -3% (volumes are down -5%). Pulp export value is up (22%). The value of Other Wood Products1 is up slightly (5%), and so is the value of Other Paper Products2 (11%).
In terms of value by destination China (7%), Japan (15%), and Other countries are up (21%). The value to the United States is now down (-2%). See the FULL REPORT here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/forest-industry-economics/forest-product-exports/bc_forest_export_report-december_2018.pdf
