LOS ANGELES , July 22, 2022 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) –
U.S. sawmills in April produced 3.134 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, down 8.5% from the 3.427 bbf produced in April 2021, and down 8.4% compared with March 2022’s 3.421 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Assn.’s Lumber Track report for April, dated July 13.
Western U.S. sawmills in April contributed 1.192 bbf to the total, down 10.9% from the prior year’s 1.337 bbf, while output from Southern sawmills was down 6.9% year-over-year to 1.802 bbf from 1.936 bbf. Compared with March, Western sawmill production decreased 13.2% and Southern output decreased 4.9%.
Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption in April was 4.325 bbf, down 9.7% from 4.791 bbf in April 2021 and down 6.9% compared with March’s 4.646 bbf.
U.S. production as a percentage of practical capacity averaged 84% in April, down from 90% in April 2021 and unchanged from March.
U.S. inventories in April were up 2.9% year-over-year to 3.092 bbf from 3.006 bbf.
Canadian softwood lumber industry activity
Canadian sawmills in April produced 1.807 bbf of softwood lumber, down 16.6% from April 2021’s 2.165 bbf, and down 14.3% from March’s 2.107 bbf.
British Columbia mills accounted for 662 million board feet (mmbf) of the April total, down 24.6% compared with April 2021’s 878 mmbf and down 16.8% compared with March’s 796 mmbf.
Sawmills east of the Rockies in April produced 1.144 bbf, down 11.1% from 1.288 bbf in April 2021 and down 12.7% compared with March’s 1.311 bbf.
Apparent Canadian softwood lumber consumption in April was 601 mmbf, down 33.0% from April 2021’s 897 mmbf, and down 4.3% from March.
Canadian production as a percentage of practical capacity in April averaged 72%, down from 84% a year ago and down from 77% in March.
Canadian softwood lumber inventories in April were up 22.5% year-over-year to 3.428 bbf from 2.798 bbf.
The primary source of this article is Lumber Track for April 2022, sent out by the Western Wood Products Assn., Portland, Oregon, on July 13, 2022
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