In 2023, production output was 6% smaller than in 2022. The comparison of last year’s output with the years before the pandemic shows a decrease of almost 30%. Between the years 2016 and 2018, Canada produced around 65 million m³.
This downward trend is mainly the results of developments in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. The timber industry giants which are based there, such as West Fraser and Canfor, are impacted by the reduced supply of log wood. Already more than ten years ago, those groups created new production capacities elsewhere – especially in the US South – as a solution to this problem. Canfor even acquired a stake in Swedish Vida Group.
In the years from 1999 to 2015, British Columbia was massively affected by a bark beetle calamity which caused over 700 million m³ of damaged wood. Since then, annual logging volumes have decreased significantly. In addition, the traditional practice of clear felling is facing increasing criticism, the First Nations are being given back forest rights and further environmental protection measures are being implemented.
It can therefore be assumed that Canada will probably never be able to reach pre-Covid levels again – despite increases in other provinces, such as Alberta.
Since Canada supplies around 85% of the US softwood lumber imports, its reduced production could open up opportunities for Europeans.
