Exports of Southern pine lumber approached record territory in March, amounting to just over 64 million board feet (MMbf). This volume represents a hefty increase of 26% above the same month last year, contributing to an overall year-to-date increase of 17% when compared with the first three months of 2016, as the Southern Forest Products Association says in the press release received by Lesprom Network.
Offshore shipments during March roughly break down as follows: 28.9 MMbf dressed, 15.0 MMbf rough, and 20.2 MMbf treated lumber.
Softwood lumber imports to the U.S. took a dive in March, totaling 1.4 billion board feet (Bbf), a drop of 16% from the volume imported during March of 2016. Through the first three months of this year, softwood imports are down 10% when compared with the first three months of a year ago.
