Lake States Wood Product Production and Consumption: Trends and Perspectives

Abstract

Abstract Estimates of primary and secondary wood product production and consumption are presented for the Lake States (Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota). The region's major wood product sector, the paper and board industry, is focusing increasingly on the production of high-quality papers. Current exports to other regions total 1.5 to 2 million tons and are expected to rise, but the region has a considerable dependence on imports of woodpulp and softwood residue. Hard-wood lumber production and consumption in the region are nearly balanced, but between 1 and 1.5 bbf of softwood lumber are imported each year. More than 500 million ft³ of softwood plywood are also shipped unto the region each year from outside producers. Largely due to the dramatic increase in structural particleboard (i.e., primarily waferboard and oriented strand board) in the early 1980s, the region exports more than 1.3 billion ft² of particleboard annually. Greater cooperation between the states holds significant opportunity for increasing investment in the region's forest products sector and better utilizing its forest resources. North. J. Appl. For. 4:193-197, December 1987.