Western U.S. sawmills produced f 4.8% more lumber in the first 11 months of 2018

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WWPA/Fordaq
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Western U.S. sawmills produced 13.431 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber in the first 11 months of 2018, an increase of 4.8% from 12.816 bbf in the same period in the previous year, according to data released by the Western Wood Products Assn. (WWPA) of Portland, Oregon.

Coastal mills contributed 8.451 bbf to the 11-month volume, up 6.5% from 7.932 bbf a year earlier, while inland mills accounted for 4.525 bbf – a 2.3% increase from 4.424 bbf. California redwood production dipped 0.7% to 456 million board ft. (mmbf) from 459 mmbf.

In November, Western U.S. sawmills produced 1.106 bbf of softwood lumber, a year-over-year drop of 2.7% from 1.137 bbf a year earlier, and down 15.2% from 1.304 bbf in October 2018.

Coastal mills accounted for 702 mmbf of November’s output, a gain of 3.2% from 680 mmbf in the previous year, but down 14.4% from 820 mmbf in October 2018. Inland mills produced 357 mmbf – down 12.6% year-over-year from 409 mmbf, and 17.6% lower than the previous month’s volume of 433 mmbf.

November production by California redwood mills was 46 mmbf, a decline of 2.6% from 48 mmbf in November 2017, and down 6.8% from 50 mmbf in October 2018.

Softwood lumber inventories at 1.245 bbf in November were up 5.7% from 1.178 bbf in November 2017.

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