China Timber Market Bodes Well for Louisiana Forestry Industry

By Don Molino, Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

During his daily report on the Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain, quoting a report from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, said China is becoming a huge market for US wood and wood products.

“South China imports have climbed to a new record of nearly $700-million in 2016, up 11% from 2015,” said Strain.

China is the largest market in the world for US wood and wood products, with nearly 30% of the total exports ending up in South China. “Two-thirds of those imports, by value, consist of lumber or other processed wood,” says Strain.

Louisiana has over 14-million acres of timber production with direct sales of Louisiana timber reaching over one billion dollars.  Overall, the Louisiana timber industry is a two billion dollar a year industry.

“Each year, the timber wood industry in Louisiana pays $750-million in federal, state and local taxes,” Strain pointed out.