Saskatchewan’s forest sector hit an all-time record high of $1.8 billion in forestry product sales in 2021, up 60% from 2020, according to a press release from the provincial government. The forest industry has been rapidly expanding in the province.
News in timber
Russia Bans Export Sales of Wood and Wood Products to “Unfriendly” Countries
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, Russia will ban the export of wood and wood products to countries from “unfriendly” states, including the U.S. and the EU countries, until the end of 2022. The ministry notes that the ban will ensure the needs in the domestic market for affordable raw wood.
E.U. Timber Industry Trade Groups Foresee Timber Shortages Due to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
A meeting of the main European trade bodies for the timber industry, CEI-Bois and EOS ended with the groups recognizing that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses a real threat to peace and security in Europe while direct consequences on the timber business should be expected.
New Brunswick Private Timberland Log Sellers Find Better Prices for their Logs in Maine
New Brunswick, Canada lumber mills are supplied mostly from timber cut on publicly owned Crown land. In turn, private sellers contend that because the New Brunswick government does not raise the price it charges for trees to match rising lumber prices, as most provinces do, the prices they can charge mills are kept artificially low.
Florida Panhandle Weekend Wildfires Fueled by Hurricane Michael’s 2018 Devastation
According to the Florida Forest Service (FFS), in 2018 Hurricane Michael roared on shore in Florida’s Panhandle, leaving behind approximately $25 billion in damage in the U.S. and destroying nearly 72 million tons of trees across nearly three million acres of timberland. Those destroyed trees are currently the fuel source for two massive wildfires.
Oregon State Senate Votes to Approve Private Forest Accord Compromise Legislation
By a vote of 22-5, the Oregon State Senate voted on Tuesday (3-2-22) in favor of Senate Bill 1501, the Private Forest Accord compromise. The 44-page bill expands no-harvest buffers around streams, implements stricter requirements for roadbuilding, prioritizes non-lethal control of beavers, and creates a new modeling system to avoid and mitigate the effects of landslides.
Potential Impacts of Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Softwood Log and Lumber Markets
Sanctions on Russia will severely limit its ability to participate in international trade, but the impacts to its softwood log and lumber trade are likely to be less affected than other industries.
Alberta Renews 20-Year Forest Management Agreement With West Fraser and Tolko Industries in High Prairie and Slave Lake Regions
The Alberta provincial government announced on Wednesday (2-22-22) that it has renewed its 20-year joint forest management agreement (FMA) with West Fraser and Tolko Industries. The FMA covers 245,527 hectares in the Slave Lake and High Prairie Regions in the province.
Canfor to Sell Mackenzie Assets for $70 Million
Canfor Corporation on Thursday (2-24-22) announced that it has entered into a Letter of Intent with McLeod Lake Indian Band and Tsay Keh Dene Nation to sell its forest tenure in the Mackenzie region of British Columbia and in a separate agreement with Peak Renewables to sell its Mackenzie site, plant, and equipment for a combined price of $70 million (CAD).
Australia’s Farm Forestry Assistant Program Supports Local Softwood Plantation Industry
Australia’s Forestry Minister Dave Kelly has launched the Farm Forestry Assistant program (FFAP) for 2022. The program supports farmers and landowner who wish to plant pine trees on their land.