Lumber output dropped to 912 million board feet as the company is proceeding with a previously announced 26% production cut; duties expenses rose $147 million, partly offset by a $9 million revaluation gain.
Curtailments affect British Columbia, Ontario, US South, and Pacific Northwest operations equally.
The temporary curtailments will involve reduced operating hours, prolonged holiday breaks, reconfigured shifts, and extended maintenance shutdowns across all regions.
About 60% of the company’s lumber is produced and sold in the U.S., with only 25% exported from Canada. Interfor expects Canadian lumber will remain important for U.S. supply as growth in U.S. manufacturing faces constraints.
Northwest mills project 600 million to 1.3 billion board feet in added supply as combined softwood duties top 30%.