US sawmills produced 3.093 bbf of softwood lumber in October, down 1.7% annually from 3.148 bbf, up 2.8% from September’s 3.008 bbf; Canadian lumber production at 1.753 bbf, down 9.8% annually from 1.943 bbf, down 3.1% from September’s 1.809 bbf: WWPA

Sample article from our Forestry & Timberland

LOS ANGELES , January 17, 2023 () –

U.S. sawmills in October produced 3.093 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, down 1.7% from the 3.148 bbf produced in October 2021, but up 2.8% compared with September 2022’s 3.008 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Assn.’s Lumber Track report for October, dated January 13. 

Western U.S. sawmills in October contributed 1.066 bbf to the total, down 12.3% from the prior year’s 1.215 bbf, while output from Southern sawmills rose 5.4% year-over-year to 1.888 bbf from 1.791 bbf. Compared with September, Western sawmill production increased 2.9% and Southern output increased 2.8%.

Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption in October was 4.298 bbf, down 1.5% from 4.363 bbf in October 2021, but 1.6% more than 4.229 bbf in September. 

U.S. production as a percentage of practical capacity averaged 82% in October, down from 87% in October 2021 but up from 80% in September. 

U.S. inventories in October rose 5.8% year-over-year to 2.894 bbf from 2.735 bbf.

Canadian softwood lumber industry activity

Canadian sawmills in October produced 1.753 bbf of softwood lumber, down 9.8% from October 2021’s 1.943 bbf, and down 3.1% from September’s 1.809 bbf.

British Columbia mills accounted for 595 million board feet (mmbf) of the October total, down 20.7% compared with October 2021’s 751 mmbf and down 4.5% compared with September’s 624 mmbf.

Sawmills east of the Rockies in October produced 1.158 mmbf, down 2.9% from 1.192 bbf in October 2021 and 2.3% lower compared with September’s 1.185 mmbf.

Apparent Canadian softwood lumber consumption in October was 554 mmbf, up 4.8% from October 2021’s 529 mmbf, but down 12.1% from September. 

Canadian production as a percentage of practical capacity in October averaged 70%, down from 79% a year ago and down from 72% in September. 

Canadian softwood lumber inventories in October were up 5.8% year-over-year to 2.894 bbf from 2.735 bbf.

The primary source of this article is Lumber Track for October 2022, sent out by the Western Wood Products Assn., Portland, Oregon, on January 13, 2022
 

* All content is copyrighted by Industry Intelligence, or the original respective author or source. You may not recirculate, redistrubte or publish the analysis and presentation included in the service without Industry Intelligence's prior written consent. Please review our terms of use.

See our dashboard in action - schedule an demo
Jason Irving
Jason Irving
- SVP Enterprise Solutions -

We offer built-to-order forestry & timberland coverage for our clients. Contact us for a free consultation.

About Us

We deliver market news & information relevant to your business.

We monitor all your market drivers.

We aggregate, curate, filter and map your specific needs.

We deliver the right information to the right person at the right time.

Our Contacts

1990 S Bundy Dr. Suite #380,
Los Angeles, CA 90025

+1 (310) 553 0008

About Cookies On This Site

We collect data, including through use of cookies and similar technology ("cookies") that enchance the online experience. By clicking "I agree", you agree to our cookies, agree to bound by our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. For more information on our data practices and how to exercise your privacy rights, please see our Privacy Policy.