Western US sawmills increase output to 7.902 bbf of softwood lumber in year to July, a 9% gain from 7.252 bbf a year earlier: WWPA

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , September 12, 2013 (Industry Intelligence) – Sawmills in the Western U.S. produced 7.902 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber in the first seven months of 2013, a 9% gain compared to production in the same period last year of 7.252  bbf, according to figures for July released on Sept. 5 by the Western Wood Products Assn. (WWPA) of Portland, Oregon.

Of that total, Coastal mills accounted for 4.862 bbf, up 9.9% from 4.423 bbf a year earlier, while inland mills produced 2.737 bbf in the seven-month period, an increase of 7.1% from 2.555 bbf in the year before. California’s redwood production climbed 10.3% to 303 million board ft. (mmbf) from 275 mmbf.

Production in the month of July alone was 1.905 bbf, an increase of 6.2% from 1.031 bbf in July 2012, and 6.1% more than output in June 2013 (1.033 bbf), WWPA reported.

Coastal mills contributed 660 mmbf to the total for July, a year-over-year gain of 3.9% from 636 mmbf, and 7.8% more than the volume produced in June of 612 mmbf. Inland mills accounted for 394 mmbf - up 12.1% from the 351 mmbf produced in July 2012, and 4.3% more than output in June this year of 377 mmbf. California's redwood production for the month of July was 41 mmbf, a decline of 6.1% from last year (44 mmbf) and 3.4% lower than the June 2013 volume of 43 mmbf.

Softwood lumber inventories increased 5.0% to 1.291 bbf compared with 1.230 bbf in July 2012.

The primary source of this article is the Western Wood Products Assn., Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 5,  2013.

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