Softwood lumber production in Canada dropped -2.4% in January to March 2018, from 7,249 million board feet to 7,074 mmfbm for the same time last year, said the Western Wood Products Association’s monthly Lumber Track Wednesday,
In the US, softwood lumber production increased by +2.7%, at 8,557 million board feet versus 8,333 million the first three months of the previous year.
North America Sawmill Capacity Utilization Rates
Softwood lumber production in Canada dropped -2.4% in January to March 2018 while in the US, softwood lumber production increased by +2.7%, said the Western Wood Products Association’s monthly Lumber Track Wednesday, However, in British Columbia lumber production continued it’s drops from the previous year, to fall another -5.7 per cent, to 3,137 million board feet, compared to 3,331 million in January to March 2017.
Elsewhere, the WWPA put Canadian lumber production as a percent of practical capacity down a full 2% compared to the first three months of 2017, to 87% from 89%. In 2Q 2017 it had been 91%.
US sawmills, meanwhile, were operating at 86% of capacity, compared to 84% in January to March 2017.
