Canada: Alberta forest products shipments in 4Q 2009 rose 6.2%

Mar 16, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Reflecting a slight improvement for the 2Q in a row; the combined value of Alberta forest products shipments in the 4Q 2009 rose 6.2% over the 3Q, Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) , company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. Comparing the 4Q 2009 to the same period in 2008, the overall value of Alberta forest products shipped to market declined. AFPA member companies saw value declines of 9.7% for the lumber and secondary manufacturing sector; 33% for panelboard; and 29% for the pulp and paper sector. Shipment volumes in all sectors were also down. “Our industry continues to feel the effects of the global economic downturn, but there is hope on the horizon,” said Brady Whittaker, AFPA President and CEO. “Shrinking losses and modest quarterly improvements suggest that economic conditions are slowly improving and that is welcome news for Alberta’s forest products producers.” The Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) is a private, non-profit industry organization, representing lumber, panelboard, pulp and paper, and secondary manufacturing wood products companies operating in Alberta, Canada. The forest products industry is Alberta’s third largest manufacturing industry and the second largest manufacturing export industry.