West coast lumber exports increased slightly in the first quarter of 2012, just under 2% for a total of 234 million board feet worth $156 million, according to the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station. Meanwhile, U.S. log exports to Canada jumped by 43% to 255 million board feet during the first quarter, while exports to China dropped by 9.5% to 233 million board feet.
“About 85% of the West coast’s log exports and 89% of its lumber exports came through ports in Oregon and Washington,” said Xiaoping Zhou, a research economist with the station who compiled the data. “Softwood comprised 99% of the total log export and 85% of the total lumber export.”
Zhou compiled the statistics from the U.S. International Trade Commission and from Production, Prices, Employment, and Trade in Northwest Forest Industries, a station publication that provides current information on the region’s lumber and plywood production as well as employment in forest industries.