Canadian softwood lumber shipments to the US in September were at their second highest level since June 2010, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths.
The increase during the month coincided with September being the month shipments were exempt from export taxes.
Through 19 of 21 shipping days, volumes to the US were 704 million board feet, with the month expected to finish at 778 million board feet.
In June 2010, shipments reached 1.013 billion board feet, with an average of 46 million board feet – far above any month since.
The highest daily average shipments were in March when 47 million board feet was shipped.
The growth mirrors a drop in Canadian shipments to China in recent months.
Currency rates and the fact that four eastern Canadian provinces were no longer subject to the 10% export tax since July 1 boosted the shipment volumes.