NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010FOR0177-001275 Oct. 18, 2010

Ministry of Forests and Range

 

RECORD-BREAKING MONTH FOR SOFTWOOD EXPORTS TO CHINA

 

VICTORIA – Latest trade figures show that August was a record-breaking month for B.C. softwood lumber exports to China with 257 million board feet exported over a one-month period, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today.

 

“August, by far and away, was the best sales month we have seen to date,” said Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell. “We have already sold nearly 1.5 billion board feet and are on track to reach somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2.5 billion board feet in 2010.”

 

            Exports to China through the first eight months of the year are valued at about $342 million, up 71 per cent compared to $200 million for the same period in 2009.

 

An even stronger fourth-quarter sales period is expected as Bell will lead, from October 28 to November 8, the largest ever B.C. forestry trade mission to China. 

 

The trade mission will meet with key government officials and pursue commercial deals with suppliers, manufacturers and building developers.  Several agreements will be signed in addition to tours of new wood manufacturing facilities, earthquake reconstruction and commercial wood-frame building sites.

 

“The upcoming trade mission will add to the growing sales momentum, keeping us on track to reach our goal of exporting four billion board feet of lumber by the end of 2011,” said Bell.

 

The Province, Government of Canada, and the forest industry have been working together since 2003 to diversify the market for B.C. forest products by expanding into China.

 

-30-

 

Contact:

Cheekwan Ho Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-8482

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.