In 4Q 2019 North American softwood lumber production recovered nicely from drops over last summer, and by the end of last year made good strides in improvement, says the latest issue of the Western Wood Products Association’s monthly Lumber Track, for January 2019 – January 2020. January 2020 US lumber production volume increased by +2% compared to January 2019, to 3,221 mmfbm.
After drooping for most of last year to end 2019 -15% lower than full-year 2018, softwood lumber production in Canada grew by +8%, to 1,826 mmfbm, compared to the previous month when it was 1,687 mmfbm in December 2019.
British Columbia sawmills saw a similar increase in production volumes, compared to December 2019 improved by +9%, to 1,826 mmfbm in January 2020.
North America Softwood Lumber Production, Sawmill Capacity Utilization, WWPA: January 2020
US sawmill production as per cent of practical capacity for the first month of 2020 really popped up compared to December 2019, and was 88% in January 2020, from 85% the previous month, said the Western Wood Products Association’s monthly Lumber Track.
Canadian sawmill production as per cent of practical capacity returned to brutal lows in mid-2019, to 71% in January 2020 compared to an already extreme low of 79% the previous year.
In December 2019 it had been 73%.