LOS ANGELES , October 17, 2022 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) –
U.S. sawmills in July produced 3.105 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, up 2.1% from the 3.042 bbf produced in July 2021, but down 11.1% compared with June 2022’s 3.495 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Assn.’s Lumber Track report for July, dated October 14.
Western U.S. sawmills in July contributed 1.101 bbf to the total, down 5.4% from the prior year’s 1.164 bbf, while output from Southern sawmills was up 7.1% year-over-year to 1.865 bbf from 1.741 bbf. Compared with June, Western sawmill production decreased 12.8% and Southern output decreased 10.1%.
Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption in July was 4.361 bbf, up 6.9% from 4.079 bbf in July 2021 but down from 4.774 bbf in June.
U.S. production as a percentage of practical capacity averaged 87% in July, up from 84% in July 2021 but down from 90% in June.
U.S. inventories in July were up 0.5% year-over-year to 3.116 bbf from 3.100 bbf.
Canadian softwood lumber industry activity
Canadian sawmills in July produced 1.560 bbf of softwood lumber, down 10.6% from July 2021’s 1.744 bbf, and down 16.8% from June’s 1.875 bbf.
British Columbia mills accounted for 639 million board feet (mmbf) of the July total, down 13.4% compared with July 2021’s 738 mmbf and down 10.1% compared with June’s 711 mmbf.
Sawmills east of the Rockies in July produced 921 mmbf, down 8.5% from 1.006 bbf in July 2021 and down 20.9% compared with June’s 1.164 bbf.
Apparent Canadian softwood lumber consumption in July was 656 mmbf, up 13.5% from July 2021’s 577 mmbf, and up 1.6% from June.
Canadian production as a percentage of practical capacity in July averaged 65%, down from 71% a year ago and from 71% in June.
Canadian softwood lumber inventories in July were up 12.8% year-over-year to 3.103 bbf from 2.751 bbf.
The primary source of this article is Lumber Track for July 2022, sent out by the Western Wood Products Assn., Portland, Oregon, on October 14, 2022
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