Several top US lumber companies have been told to increase their product lines in anticipation of the end of the Iraqi war.
The Southern Forest Products Association reports that the Department of Defence has put companies on alert in preparation for the rebuilding of Iraq once the conflict is over.
At present around 60% of wood products shipped to the Middle East are being used to build temporary support structures for troops in various locations.
Once the reconstruction of Iraq gets under way, post-war lumber demand is expected to rise dramatically.
