LOS ANGELES
,
May 16, 2022
(Industry Intelligence Inc.)
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U.S. sawmills in February produced 2.894 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, up 2.1% from the 2.835 bbf produced in February 2021, but down 2.6% compared with January 2022’s 2.970 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Assn.’s Lumber Track report for February, dated May 13. Western U.S. sawmills in February contributed 1.138 bbf to the total, down 5.5% from the prior year’s 1.205 bbf, while output from Southern sawmills was up 8.2% year-over-year to 1.626 bbf from 1.503 bbf. Compared with January, Western sawmill production was unchanged and Southern output decreased 4.3%. Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption in February was 3.982 bbf, up 3.9% from 3.830 bbf in February 2021 and up 1.1% compared with January’s 3.937 bbf. U.S. production as a percentage of practical capacity averaged 83% in February, up from 82% in February 2021 and up from 81% in January. U.S. inventories in February were up 0.3% year-over-year to 3.080 bbf from 3.071 bbf. Canadian softwood lumber industry activity Canadian sawmills in February produced 1.817 bbf of softwood lumber, down 6.3% from February 2021’s 1.940 bbf, and up 0.2% from January’s 1.813 bbf. British Columbia mills accounted for 701 million board feet (mmbf) of the February total, down 4.8% compared with February 2021’s 737 mmbf and down 6.0% compared with January’s 746 mmbf. Sawmills east of the Rockies in February produced 1.116 bbf, down 7.2% from 1.203 bbf in February 2021 and up 4.6% compared with January’s 1.067 bbf. Apparent Canadian softwood lumber consumption in February was 463 mmbf, down 31.3% from February 2021’s 674 mmbf, and down 22.4% from January. Canadian production as a percentage of practical capacity in February averaged 77%, down from 82% a year ago and up from 73% in January. Canadian softwood lumber inventories in February were up 11.3% year-over-year to 3.232 bbf from 2.905 bbf. The primary source of this article is Lumber Track for February 2022, sent out by the Western Wood Products Assn., Portland, Oregon, on May 13, 2022
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