S-P-F looks to a future of high demand

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the slide in dimension lumber production in a western lumber industry handcuffed by the environmental constraints on hem-fir, Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. But southerners are finding increased competition for sales in their own backyard from out of the country.

Story at a Glance

Spruce'Pine-Fir from Ganada expected to be among top gainers in U.S. lumber consumption ... environmental problems in U.S., possible demise of import duty contribute to increase.

Shippers of Spruce-Pine-Fir, a production and marketing grouPing of Canadian woods with similar characteristics, are poised for further penetration into U.S. markets. The Western Wood Products Association forecasts the largest growing source of wood products for American use this year will be imports, which are 98Vo or more from Canada and Predominantly S-P-F. Overall U.S. lumber consumption is predicted to climb 3.94o ovet 1992 to 46.9 billion bf. Southern production should rise 7.9Vo to 15.1 billion bf, while western production shps2.24o to 18.17 billion bf. hlports arc forecast to jump 8.9Vo to 14.56 billion bf.

Like all other species, S-P-F experienced the historic price highs and sudden plummet of recent months. No one can say where it will go next. "Price is the big question," said David

Cartwright, director of new market development, Council of Forest Industries, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. "What's causing the giant price fluctuations could be slower housing stafts, the cold, delayed spring, the general economy or something else, or, I think, a combination of factors. So, where it's going to go is anybody's guess."

But the advantage S-P-F holds over U.S. competitors is supply. Canada has experienced limited opposition from environmental extremists. "Our environmental problems are basically on the coast of British Columbia, in the southern interior and close to the large metropolilan areas," Cartwright said. "The main S-P-F producing areas, thus far, have not b,een seriously affected."

Still, to avoid possible public oiticism, some British Columbia producers of S-P-F have voluntarily set aside old growth stands of timber. Other mills have been working with nauralists and hunters to preserve healthy, beautiful lands. They have set land aside for bird habitats and installed nesting boxes for birds. Timber cmtpanies have also upgraded logging roads to prevent erosion of the land.

Following a strong spring, Cartwright predicts the only possible curtailments in S-P-F production would be caused by lighter demand not limited supply. Since more than90%o of S-P-F produced ends up in North America, Canadian producers would love to see an end to the U.S. recession. "Should depressed areas like California see a resurgence in investment and construction, S-P-F should increasingly pick up market share due to the constraints on hem-fir, Douglas fir and other traditional building materials," he said.

Proposed changes in the countervailing duty on Canadian shipments into theU.S. would only inoease S-P-F imports. "Recent decisions tend to indicate that it is not a fair tariff and could be eliminated, further easing the flow of Canadian product into the United Scates," Cartwdght said.

what's s-P-F?

Spruce-Pine-Fir is a classification of predominately Canadian woods of similar characteristics grouped for production and marketing.

White to pale yellow in color, S-P-F woods are moderately strong, easy to work, take paint and bold nails well.

The greatest volume comes from western Canada where the principal species are white spruce, Engehnann spruce, lodgepole pine and alpine fr. Foremost eastem species include red spruce, black spruce, jack pine and balsam fr.