The value of shipments in Alberta’s struggling forest products industry continued to plummet in the first quarter of 2008, with the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) warning of the possibility of more mill shutdowns and job losses.
AFPA member companies shipped US$565.7m worth of lumber, panel board, pulp and paper in the first quarter of 2008, down more than US$60m from the fourth quarter of 2007 and US$156.2m less than the first quarter of 2007.
The value of Alberta-made forest products has fallen in 12 of the last 13 quarters.
“Our member companies continue to face a number of external influences beyond their control that have a dramatic impact on the way they do business,” said Brady Whittaker, AFPA executive director.
“Our industry is still in crisis mode, with operators doing everything in their power to keep their mills running and their people employed. We are working with all levels of government to find innovative ways to sustain the forest industry in this difficult period, knowing that somewhere down the road prices will rebound along with demand and with that our industry’s fortunes.”
