Possible Changes in Regional Forest Product Ouput and Consumption During the Next 50 Years

Future developments in the major North American forest products markets are discussed. U.S. softwood lumber consumption is projected to rise unevenly over the next 50 years, from 41.05 billion board feet in 1980 to 47.49 billion board feet by 2030. Plywood consumption is projected to exhibit more rapid growth from 21.04 billion square feet in 1980 to 24.24 billion square feet by 2030. Western regions will decline in importance, and Canada and the South will increase their shares of the domestic market. In plywood, the South will expand its market share at the expanse of the West, though more slowly than in the recent past. Domestic pulp production will expand by 66.6 million tons annually by 2030. Pulpwood is projected to consume nearly 45 percent of the annual softwood harvest. Wood residues will decline sharply in importance as a fiber input to pulp production as growth in wood requirements outstrip residue generation. Underlying causes of projected industrial and geographical shifts are seen to be wood availability and costs. Reductions in western timber inventories and harvests will cause escalating stumpage prices placing western producers at a competitive cost disadvantage relative to Canada and the East.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member