The top 40 North American lumber producers increased output by 13% in 2010, according to the latest Wood Markets annual survey.
The increased production was largely the result of surprisingly strong demand from Asia, which also pushed up prices. In April 2010 they were at their highest since May/June 2006.
West Fraser easily retained its position as the largest softwood lumber producer with output of 4.68 billion board ft – 10% of total production – while Weyerhaeuser was again second, with its output of 3.3 billion board ft slightly exceeding Canfor’s 3.24 billion board ft.
In Canada, West Fraser, Canfor and Tolko, were once again the top three lumber producers, while in the US the top three were Weyerhaeuser, Sierra-Pacific, and West Fraser (US division).
As western North American producers look towards Asia, lumber volumes are expected to rise again this year. However, mills in the rest of North America, which can’t take advantage of Asian demand, will have to wait for the anticipated recovery in the US housing market.
