Benchmarking report on world sawmilling industry published

Western Canada and the US South achieved the highest North America sawmilling earnings last year, according to the latest publication from International Wood Markets Group.

The poorest results were found in Eastern Canada while the US West was mixed.

Higher earnings were achieved in other countries including the Baltic states, with all figures detailed in Wood Markets’ Global Timber/Sawmill/Lumber-Sawnwood Cost Benchmarking Report 2010 Q1/2011.

South Africa and Australia achieved the highest country earnings results, while Brazil recorded some of the poorest results in 2010.

A special analysis was added to the report looking at China’s ability to outbid US west coast mills for sawlogs.

China has imported massive volumes of sawlogs from New Zealand, the US and Canada over the last three years, causing log prices to soar in the countries.