North American Sawmill Capacity Dipped in 2023

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Leading wood business and market consulting firm Ross Taylor Global, in a report, noted that the North American net sawmill capacity recorded marginal decline by 2% in 202 amid fall in lumber demand. The year witnessed permanent closure of as many as nine sawmills and reduction in shifts in many sawmills, especially those in the B.C. and the U.S. South regions.

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Over the past seven years, U.S. South region had added significant capacity. This comprised establishment of new mills as well as expansion of existing mills in the region. These were partially offset by sawmill closures, primarily in the B.C. and U.S. West. The fall in lumber prices below break-even points triggered sawmill closures.

In the entire North American region, the production by top ten softwood lumber producers totalled 36.9 billion board feet in 2023, accounting almost 49% of the total capacity. West Fraser emerged as the leading producer with a capacity of 7 billion board feet. Meantime, Weyerhaeuser accounted for almost 50% of the total U.S. production during the previous year.

In 2024, lumber prices, especially Western Spruce-Pine-Fir (W-SPF) lumber prices, have improved. On the other hand, Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) lumber has been trading at significant discounts, the report noted.