China Lumber Exports Break Records

Ten months into 2013, lumber exports to China reached a record level, but Asian exports are still a far way from compensating for plumetting sales to our main export market

B.C. lumber exports to the province’s three main trading partners surpassed 2012 levels in just the first ten months of 2013.
 
Exports to China through October surpassed the previous annual record, with $1.17 billion of softwood lumber going to that country, compared to the previous annual high of $1.1 billion in 2011.
 
Exports to the U.S. through October also surpassed the total for all of 2012, with $2.13 billion of softwood lumber heading south of the border, compared to $2 billion for all of 2012.
 
Lumber exports to Japan, meanwhile, hit $703 million through October, compared to $674 million for all of 2012.
 
The increasing trade with Asia, however, does not make up for a steep drop-off in exports to the U.S. in recent years. Lumber exports to the U.S. fell from $5.1 billion in 2004 to $1.5 billion in 2009.
 
Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson led a trade mission of more than 25 senior forestry executives to Japan and China in October.
 
“It’s encouraging to see the value of lumber exports to our top three markets have significantly increased over recent years,” said Thomson. “I’m especially thrilled that we’ve again broken new records in China – it’s further evidence that all our hard work in that market is paying off.”