Log and lumber exports from Washington, Oregon, northern California, and Alaska increased by 20 per cent in volume in 2013 compared to 2012, the US Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station reported Friday. The total value of these exports also jumped, by nearly 37 per cent for log exports and by 23 per cent for lumber exports.
Compared to 2012, China increased its imports of west coast logs by 48 per cent and of west coast lumber by 45 per cent in 2013. Last year, total US log and lumber exports to the country increased by more than 35 per cent.
Log and Lumber Export, US
Other 2013 year-end highlights from US Forest Service PNW Research Station:
• Total US log exports in 2013 increased by over 19 per cent in volume compared to 2012, while the value increased by more than 25 per cent;
• Total US lumber exports in 2013 increased about 12 per cent in volume compared to 2012, while the value increased by 18 per cent;
• West coast lumber exports in 2013 represented 31 per cent of the total US lumber export in volume;
At west coast ports, 63 per cent of outgoing logs and 40 per cent of outgoing lumber were destined for China in 2013, compared to 58 per cent of logs and 33 per cent of lumber in 2012.