U.S.:Trade group predicts high
lumber consumption this year
Portland, Ore. - May 29 - Western Woods Products Association, a trade organization based
here, has predicted a 1.8-percent decline in lumber demand this year. However, with an
anticipated output of 55.2 billion board feet, 2003 will become the second-highest lumber
consumption year on record.
Western lumber production is expected to drop 1.9 percent to 17 billion board feet this
year, compared to 17.4 billion board feet in 2002. Canadian imports are predicted to fall
to 18.8 billion board feet, and imports from New Zealand, Europe and Latin America should
decline 5.9 percent to 1.8 billion board feet, according to the WWPA.
The organization, which represents lumber manufacturers in 12 western states and Alaska,
based its estimates partly on an anticipated slowdown in home construction in the latter
part of 2003, a year which will produce a total of 1.65 million housing units, the report
predicted.
Source:Homechannels |
