Western U.S. sawmills in January produced 1.129 billion board ft. (bbf) of softwood lumber, down 1.7% from January 2022, when output was 1.149 bbf, but up 17.5% compared with December’s 960 million board ft. (mmbf), according to the latest figures from the Western Wood Products Assn. (WWPA) of Portland, Oregon.

Coastal mills contributed 703 mmbf to the January total, down 4.6% from January 2022’s 736 mmbf, but increased 17.4% from December’s 598 mmbf, while Inland mills accounted for 381 mmbf in January, up 4.5% from January 2022’s 365 mmbf and 20.0% higher than December’s 318 mmbf. 

California coast production in January fell 5.7% year-over-year but increased 1.5% month-over-month to 45 mmbf. 

Western U.S softwood lumber inventories in January, at 1.283 bbf, were up 9.5% year-over-year.

Western lumber mills in January produced at 77% of practical capacity, declining from 78% in January 2022 but up from 69% in December.