Timber industry observers are predicting that the year 2010 will see a rise in the demand for lumber. According to Western Wood Products Association, demand will grow to approximately 34.5 billion board feet. This outlook is in stark contrast to that of 2009, where production has fallen to about half of what was consumed in the year 2005. Much of the improved demand will be due to increased housing starts, which should slowly regain their strength of years past.
“We don’t expect housing starts to exceed 1 million units before 2012,” said David Jackson, an economist with the Western Wood Products Association. “Demand for softwood lumber will be relatively low but it should be sufficient to allow most sawmills to continue operations and, hopefully, build their core customer base.”
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