The World Needs Our Wood

Log exports have exploded over the past year and OLC  is helping the timber industry make the most of this positive turn of events.

Log Export Statistics
Here are just a few stats compiled by the USDA Forest Service:

• Log exports from Oregon and Washington totaled 505.2 million board feet, up 75.1% from the 2011 first quarter volume of 379.5 million board feet. A total of 18.8 million board feet of logs was exported from northern California, up from 9.9 million board feet in the first quarter of 2011. Alaska exported a total of 45.2 million board feet in the second quarter of 2011, compared with 23.7 in the first quarter of 2011.
• Some 403.7 million board feet (70.9%) of the second quarter 2011 West coast log exports went to China, 83.3 million board feet (14.6%) to Japan, and 78.3 million board feet (13.8%) to South Korea.
• Douglas-fir accounted for 55.6% of these log exports; western hemlock, 28.9%; spruce, 11.1%; and other softwoods, 4.4%.
• The total value of log shipments was $393.8 million at the ports of exportation, and the average value was $691.83 per thousand board feet. Douglas-fir averaged $836.57 per thousand board feet; hemlock, $537.14; spruce, $325.78; and other softwoods, $719.90.

Total Log Exports for the First 6 Months of 2010 and 2011 (in million board feet)

	2010	2011
Oregon	265.5	518.5
Washington	200.6	366.2
Alaska	80.6	68.8
Northern California	1.9	28.7
Totals	548.6	982.2 = 79.0% increase

Finding New Opportunties
The Oregon Logging Conference, which prides itself on helping the timber industry find solutions, opportunies and inspiration through networking, education, and featuring state-of-the-art equipment, chose “The World Needs our Wood” as its theme this year.

At the 2012 show held February 23-25, you’ll  find:
• classes focussing on the dynamic export market
• equipment to improve productivity, and
• a host of networking to opportunities.

 . . . and all for just $95.
If you haven’t already registered, click HERE.  We’ll see you at the show!