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Full-year production by U.S. sawmills grew 7.7% in 2011 to 26.712 billion board ft. (bbf) from 24.802 bbf in 2010, according to the latest statistics from the Western Wood Products Assn. (WWPA).

Sawmills in the Western U.S. produced 11.867 bbf in 2011, up 6.6% year-over-year from 11.137 bbf, while output from sawmills in the South was 13.434 bbf, up 8.7% from 12.354 bbf.

But for the month of December 2011, production was down 2.9% at 1.946 bbf from 2.003 bbf a year earlier; and 6.8% lower than output in November of 2.087 bbf.

Production by Western sawmills dropped 3.5% in December to 868 million board ft. (mmbf) from 900 mmbf in December 2010, and was 3.8% lower than November’s figure of 903 mmbf. Sawmills in the South produced 975 mmbf, down 2.3% year-over year from 998 mmbf and 9.2% lower than output in November (1.074 bbf).

U.S. softwood lumber consumption gained 4.9% in 2011, reaching 34.417 bbf compared with 32.821 bbf a year earlier. In December alone, consumption was 2.1% higher than in December 2010 (2.663 bbf) but was down 2.3% from 2.754 bbf in November.

From Industry Intelligence: http://www.industryintel.com/news/read/3267922824/US-sawmills-produced-26712-bbf-of-lumber-in-2011/uR/55601