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Lumber exports from the West coast decreased 7 percent in the first quarter of 2013 according to a Forest Service research economist. Log exports increased by 16 percent: from 362 million board feet in the first quarter of 2012, to 420 million board feet in the first quarter of 2013. The total value of log exports increased more than 27 percent, from $232 million to $297 million.

Meanwhile, lumber exports dropped by 16 million board feet in the first 3 months of 2013 compared to the same time last year.

“The West coast lumber merchants exported 218 million board feet of lumber in the first quarter of 2013 compared to 234 million board feet in the first quarter of 2012,” said Xiaoping Zhou, a research economist with the agency’s Pacific Northwest Research Station. “The value of first quarter 2013 exports fetched $153 million compared to $156 million in 2012. ”

Zhou compiled the statistics from the U.S. International Trade Commission and from Production, Prices, Employment, and Trade in Northwest Forest Industries, a station publication that provides current information on the region’s lumber and plywood production as well as employment in forest industries.

From The U.S. Forest Service: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/news/2013/05/lumber-exports.shtml