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Higher lumber demand in the U.S. increased both U.S. lumber production and importation in the 3Q/12, but sawlog prices have remained unchanged since 2011, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly.

The improved housing market in the U.S. the past four months has resulted in both higher lumber production in the U.S. and in increased importation of lumber. As a consequence lumber prices have gone up by over 30% from last year. However, sawlog prices have remained unchanged so far this year.

Housing starts in the U.S. jumped to 894,000 units in October. This was 19% higher than in August, and as much as 42% more than in October of last year. So far this year, housing starts have been at their highest levels since 2008, and market analysts expect the next 12 months to be bumpy but still upward-trending.

The improved housing market has been good news for many sawmills in North America, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly. Lumber production has been higher throughout the continent, with an increase of 7.3 % in August year-over-year in the U.S., and of 6.3 % in Canada over the same time period.

From The Forest Industry Network: http://forestindustry.com/feature-article/200/higher-demand-us-increases-us-lumber-production-and-imports