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Western US sawmill production of softwood lumber down in January: Madison’s

Western US sawmills production of softwood lumber down -2.3 percent in January 2020

Western US sawmills produced 1.245 bbf of softwood lumber in January, down -2.3 per cent from January 2019 when output was 1.275 bbf, but up +10 per cent compared with December 2019’s 1.132 bbf, according to the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA).

Coastal mills contributed 758 million board feet (MMbf) to the January total, down -4.8 per cent from January 2019’s 797 MMbf but up +7.7 per cent from December’s 704 MMbf, while inland mills accounted for 439 MMbf – up +2.3 per cent from January 2019’s 429 MMbf and up +15.3 per cent from December’s 381 MMbf. California redwood production in January was down -2.7 per cent year-over-year and up +1.5 per cent month-over-month to 48 MMbf said WWPA.

Private & public construction spending increased in January

Meanwhile, the US Census Bureau has reported that total construction spending during January 2020 was at an estimated SAAR of US$1,369.2 billion. That is +1.8 per cent above the revised December estimate and +6.8 per cent above the January 2019 estimate. Private construction spending was at a SAAR of US$1,022.7 billion, +1.5 per cent above the revised December estimate. Residential construction was at a SAAR of US$554.8 billion in January, +2.1 per cent above the revised December estimate of US$543.6 billion. Nonresidential construction was at a SAAR of US$468.0 billion in January, +0.8 per cent above the revised December estimate.