Compared to one-year-ago, for the first five months of 2020 softwood lumber production in the US was almost flat, says the latest issue of the Western Wood Products Association’s monthly Lumber Track.
For January to May 2020 US lumber production volume increased by just +0.7% to 14,825 mfbm compared to the first five months of 2019 when it was 14,720 mfbm.
Comparing the month of May to April 2020, US softwood lumber production fell by -4.4%, at 2,777 mfbm for May 2020.
Last month’s update here: https://madisonsreport.com/2020/07/20/north-america-softwood-lumber-production-sawmill-capacity-utilization-wwpa-april-2020/
In Canada softwood lumber production continued drastic drops, falling by another -15.9% in the first five months of 2020, to 9,111 mfbm, compared to one-year-ago when it was 10,829 mfbm. Comparing the month of May to April 2020, Canada softwood lumber production recovered nicely, up by +25%, at 1,816 mfbm for May 2020 compared to 1,452 the previous month.
British Columbia sawmill production volumes for May 2020 plummetted yet again, as last month down once more, by -25% to 3,365 mfbm compared to January – May 2019 when it was 4,503 mfbm.
North America Softwood Lumber Production, Sawmill Capacity Utilization, WWPA: May 2020
US sawmill production as per cent of practical capacity for January to May 2020 dropped slightly, down by -1%, to 83%, compared to 84% in the first five months of 2019, said the Western Wood Products Association’s monthly Lumber Track.
Canadian sawmill production as per cent of practical capacity yet again dropped significantly in Jan – May 2020, at 73% compared to the first five months of 2019 when it was 82%.