Strong lumber consumption

By H. A. Roberts President Western Wood Products Association

He YEAR 1986 win be

TI another record year for lumber consumption in the U.S., with western producers supplying nearly

400/o of the lumber used in the country.

For the third year in a row, Americans are expected to use record volumes of lumber.

Some 46.1 billion board feet of lumber is anticipated to be used in the U.S. in 1986, 4.30/o more than in 1985.

Looking ahead to 1987, slower economic growth and the impacts ofpending tax changes on the construction market will likely force lumber consumption slightly lower.

Yet, with an anticipated decline of 3.7%, next year's lumber consumption of 44.3 billion will be the second highest volume used on record.

Story at a Glance

Strong lumber consumption . . . single family housing will account for 66% of starts. . increasing international markets for U.S. lumber. Canada will supply 33.1olo of lumber used in U.S.

Western shipments are expected to decrease by 3.20/o to 17 .61 billion feet in 1987, supplying 39.70lo of the lumber used next year.

Housing is forecast to slip to 1.75