Exports of Southern Pine lumber remained steady in March, amounting to 51 million board feet (MMbf), according to the latest reports from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
This volume represents a dip of 12% below the same month last year, but contributes to an overall year-to-date increase of 9% when compared with the 1Q 2015.
Offshore shipments during March roughly break down as follows: 26 MMbf dressed, 11.3 MMbf rough, and 13.7 MMbf treated lumber.
Softwood lumber imports to the U.S. remained unusually high in March, once again reaching 1.6 billion board feet (Bbf) - similar to February's volume - up a solid 36% from the volume imported during March of 2015.
Imports from Canada alone recorded a 34% increase during March, totaling 1.5 Bbf, when compared with March 2015 imports. Through the first three months of this year, softwood imports are up 43% when compared with the 1Q a year ago.
