Western Mills Reeling From Rough Year

Sawmills in the West weathered a rough year in 2008. according to final production figures compiled by Western Wood Products Association. While the difficult conditions for mills are continuing into 2009, the start of a recovery is expected in 2010.

Softwood lumber oroduction at mills in the l2 westem statcs declined fbr the third straight year. falling to 12.99-5 billion bd. ft. in 2008. Thc total was down 20.4o/c from the previous year and rcprcscnted the Iowest ernnual western volume since WWPA bcgin cornpiling statistics in the l9-50s.

Priccs received lbr lumber dcclined cvcn more stceply. The estimated wholesalc valuc of western lumber was $3.66 billion. a decrease of 40Vc from 56.l billion set in 2007.

WWPA compiled the final industry totals for 2008 following its annual survey of some l8-5 mills operating in the continental West.

Oregon remained the largest lumber producing statc in the country.