Forest Minister Says China Trip Brings In 83 Million More Board Feet

Monday, November 17, 2008 02:21 PM

SHANGHAI, CHINA - New orders for British Columbia lumber in the world's fastest growing market provide a boost for B.C.'s forest sector, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

"The China trade mission has been a great success with participating companies able to secure 83 million board feet in new orders for B.C. lumber from all areas of the province," said Bell. "If we continue with that pace on a monthly basis, that represents one billion board feet of lumber per year going into China - the equivalent production of four large B.C. sawmills."

Recently released sales data for January to September 2008 show that British Columbia exported 552 million board feet of softwood products to China, well over the record 493 million board feet exported in all of 2007.

Key site visits for delegates on the trade mission included the earthquake reconstruction in Mianyang and Beichuan, the grand opening of a wood-frame school campus in Baoshan, the Xiang'E school to be built using wood-frame construction, and the Putuo commercial roofing renovation project.

"Forest industry delegates were able to develop some new business contacts on the trade mission," said Rick Jeffery, Chair, Canada Wood Group. "The biggest market opportunity lies in low-rise housing.

"If half of the low-rise housing units being built in China were to adopt North American wood-frame technology for the top four floors and roof, the volume of lumber consumed would be about 25 billion board feet per year - equivalent to the amount of lumber that could be produced from over 40 per cent of B.C.'s allowable annual cut."

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Posted on Monday, November 17, 2008 02:21 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on November 17 2008 2:37 PM

Boy it sure would be nice to export the crap dimensional lumber you find at Home Hardware to China. It is either split, rotten, twisted or missing a side. Or all of the above!

Posted by: rufus1 on November 17 2008 3:29 PM

I would sure like to see the details re this 83 million bd ft new sales ---- Pat Bell is usually so full of it when it comes to announcements like this.

Posted by: loungingntheloops on November 17 2008 3:56 PM

Over the long term there will be opportunities in China but it isn't going to happen overnight and this announcement certainly isn't news or newsworthy. The 83 million feet is part of ongoing sales these companies have been making and some of it is for 2009 shipments. Pat - let's get to work here at home / on the ground clearing the way for policy changes, tax reductions, stumpage reform and improved rail and road service so we can get our products to market.

Posted by: diplomat on November 17 2008 4:29 PM

The markets need to be developed simultaneously with the infrastructure improvements.

I do believe that Pat is working a lot harder to solve these problems than other ministers before him.

The world has changed a lot, that's for sure, especially with the USA falling gradually from its crumbling pedestal of world supremacy and going broke.

Still, I never thought those circumstances would force us to beg some other countries to PLEASE by some of our lumber.

Hopefully it will be only temporary and the present efforts will pay off in the long run.

Posted by: Born in BC on November 17 2008 5:24 PM

Considering the results that have been delivered by the local politicians on their trade missions to China I dont think that this is too bad. At least it is something.

Posted by: Harbinger on November 17 2008 5:31 PM

Went to Home Hardware once upon a time. I wanted to buy some 1X6s. I asked the guy to lower a new lift. he said no. I picked through the pile at hand and found four good ones. The rest were akin to first class firewood. That is all they could be used for. I got my money back and went to Irly Bird. Can't send crap wood to Japan or the US. We get third pick. Typically Canadian.

Posted by: Honestjoe on November 17 2008 5:32 PM

Is it true that the BC Government compensated this sales trip to China to the tune of $8 million? Your comments Ben or Elaine?

Posted by: loungingntheloops on November 17 2008 9:22 PM

Diplomat - market development is very important but let's leave it to those who are the experts, have the skill and the knowledge. Since when did someone, who has suddenly found themselves a cabinet minister with the Forest portfolio, become an expert in global market development and sales for BC's forest products - I think it just makes a mockery of our Industry! Where have all our industry workers been all these years ..... do they really need Pat showing them the way and if so we are in trouble.

Posted by: Palopu on November 17 2008 9:37 PM

Someone told me a while ago that you could buy lumber at Home Depot that came from China. Whats with that???

Posted by: Resident on November 18 2008 7:49 AM

83 million board feet of lumber. Hardly earth shattering. Amounts to about 4 months production for a typical dimension mill.