For the first time, China and Japan have accounted for more than 40% of a month’s worth of British Columbian (BC) forest products exports.
In September, the province’s sales to the two countries amounted to 40.2% of its total, close to the amount going to the US (42.5%). The figures for the year to date are now 33.8% to China and Japan and 47.5% to the US.
BC’s sales to Asia have now been climbing for a number of years. In 2005, China and Japan accounted for just 17% of the total.
“The numbers show our expansion in the Asian market continues to gain traction,” said BC forest minister Pat Bell. “We’ve worked hard to lessen our reliance on the market south of the border and that is clearly paying off now with the US housing market in a prolonged slump.”
He added that far eastern trade was also helping pull the BC forest industry out of recession.
“It has been through some lean years, but clearly we’ve turned a corner,” he said. “We’re expecing over 2.5 billion board feet of lumber will be shipped to China this year, an increase of more than 300% in two years.”
