Oregon Is Top Lumber Producer

Oregon continued to lead the nation in lumber production last year, generating 5.7 billion board feet with an estimated wholesale value of $2.6 billion.

Washington was second with 4.2 billion board feet valued at $1.8 billion, followed by California, which produced 3.5 billion board feet worth $1.7 billion.

The three states accounted for 77 percent of the West’s production, according to the Western Wood Products Association.

Production by mills along the Pacific Coast increased 8 percent over the previous year while inland mills, located east of the Cascades and to the south, saw a decline of 2.6 percent. Lumber production in 12 Western states grew 2.9 percent, for the first increase since 1987.

“Long-term log supply remains a significant challenge for the industry. With little volume coming from federal forests, Western mills must scramble to find affordable logs,” said Robert H. Hunt, president of the trade association.