LOS ANGELES
,
June 9, 2022
(Industry Intelligence Inc.)
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U.S. sawmills in March produced 3.383 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, up 1.2% from the 3.343 bbf produced in March 2021, and up 16.5% compared with February 2022’s 2.902 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Assn.’s Lumber Track report for March, dated June 8. Western U.S. sawmills in March contributed 1.361 bbf to the total, down 0.9% from the prior year’s 1.373 bbf, while output from Southern sawmills was up 2.7% year-over-year to 1.870 bbf from 1.820 bbf. Compared with February, Western sawmill production increased 19.6% and Southern output increased 14.4%. Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption in March was 4.609 bbf, down 1.6% from 4.686 bbf in March 2021 and up 15.5% compared with February’s 3.990 bbf. U.S. production as a percentage of practical capacity averaged 84% in March, unchanged from March 2021 and up from 83% in February. U.S. inventories in March were up 1.6% year-over-year to 3.134 bbf from 3.083 bbf. Canadian softwood lumber industry activity Canadian sawmills in March produced 2.107 bbf of softwood lumber, down 10.4% from March 2021’s 2.351 bbf, and up 15.9% from February’s 1.817 bbf. British Columbia mills accounted for 796 million board feet (mmbf) of the March total, down 13.3% compared with March 2021’s 918 mmbf and up 13.5% compared with February’s 701 mmbf. Sawmills east of the Rockies in March produced 1.311 bbf, down 8.5% from 1.432 bbf in March 2021 and up 17.4% compared with February’s 1.116 bbf. Apparent Canadian softwood lumber consumption in March was 628 mmbf, down 21.0% from March 2021’s 795 mmbf, and up 35.7% from February. Canadian production as a percentage of practical capacity in March averaged 78%, down from 87% a year ago and up from 77% in February. Canadian softwood lumber inventories in March were up 13.3% year-over-year to 3.431 bbf from 3.027 bbf. The primary source of this article is Lumber Track for March 2022, sent out by the Western Wood Products Assn., Portland, Oregon, on June 8, 2022
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