U.S. Sawmills Produce Less Softwood Lumber in March

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): U.S. sawmills in March produced 3.392 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, a decrease of 2.3% from March 2022, but up 20.2% compared with February 2023’s 2.823 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Assn.’s Lumber Track report for March, dated June 7. 

Western U.S. sawmills in March contributed 1.209 bbf to the total, down 11.9% from the prior year’s 1.372 bbf, while output from Southern sawmills rose 4.4% year-over-year to 2.031 bbf from 1.946 bbf. Compared with February, Western and Southern sawmill production increased 20.7% and 19.9%, respectively.

Apparent U.S. softwood lumber consumption in March was 4.573 bbf, down 4.4% from 4.785 bbf in March 2022 but 17.5% higher than 3.893 bbf in February. 

U.S. production as a percentage of practical capacity averaged 83% in March, down from 85% in March 2022 but up from 79% in February. 

U.S. inventories in March rose 3.6% year-over-year to 3.168 bbf from 3.056 bbf.

Canadian softwood lumber industry activity

Canadian sawmills in March produced 1.991 bbf of softwood lumber, down 5.5% from March 2022’s 2.107 bbf, but up 22.4% from February’s 1.626 bbf.

British Columbia mills accounted for 734 million board ft. (mmbf) of the March total, down 7.8% compared with March 2022’s 796 mmbf but up 35.3% compared with February’s 542 mmbf.