Prices for U.S. wood up worldwide

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[Photo caption: Cut logs are loaded onto a truck on private timberland east of Shingletown, Calif.]

From a quarterly report published by Wood Resources International LLC:

Higher lumber production, increased log trade and a weak US dollar were three factors that pushed sawlog prices up in dollar terms worldwide in the 1Q/11.

Wood fiber costs for pulp mills worldwide rose for the third consecutive quarter in the 1Q/11.

Global pulp prices stayed strong during the quarter and actually increased to record-high levels in the month of April.

Global demand for softwood lumber increased by about 18 percent in 2010. Lumber imports to Japan were up 21 percent. The weak building and construction market in Europe late last year resulted in lower lumber demand. During the first two months of 2011, lumber production was up in most provinces of Canada.

The housing market in the US South has fared relatively better than the rest of the country resulting in higher lumber consumption.

While the US and Canadian domestic pellet industry struggled through another year of weak domestic market demand and overcapacity, pellet exports to Europe continued to rise.