Western Retl Cedar

Mill Glosure Trend Noted

The Western Wood Products Association reports that curtailments and mill closures during the past two months of 1984 continued a trend begun in 1980. WWPA estimates there were 650 mills operating in the West at the end of 1984 as opposed to 818 mills operating in 1979. However, due to gains in productivity, lumber production capacity is estimated to be the same as in 1979.

Mills in the l2-state WWPA region produced 17.028 billion board feet of lumber in 1984. an increase of 4o/o from the previous year. Shipments totaled 17.239 billion board feet for the year, up 7o/o from 1983 totals.

For 1985, the lumber industry trade group is forecasting western lumber production at 16.5 billion board feet, about 390 lower than 1984. The production level is based on a forecast of 1.65 million housing starts during the year.

Lumber inventories in the region finished 1984 at 2.061 billion board feet. below WWPA's 1984 forecast of 2.3 billion board feet. Inventories in the region declined 16 consecutive weeks in the last four months of 1984.