Lumber Prices in USA & Canada - North American Timber Market

North American Lumber Market

01-15th April 2006

USA and Canada to resume lumber talks
US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Stephen Harper took a step toward resuming softwood lumber negotiations which broke off last year. At the North American Cancun summit in late March, the two leaders differed on their interpretation of whether there would be full negotiations or explorative talks, but it was the first public sign of re-engagement between the two sides. Canada says its position is very clear: to pursue all legal options as well as enhanced support for industry if a resolution is not reached with the USA.

The two sides have been at odds for years, with the USA putting duties on Canadian wood it says was subsidized and illegally dumped in the US market. Canada disagrees and says North American Free Trade Agreement decisions require the USA to lift and return the duties.

Abbreviations

LM Loyale Merchant, a grade of log parcel	Cu.m Cubic Metre
QS Qualite Superieure	Koku 0.278 Cu.m or 120BF
CI Choix Industriel	FFR French Franc
CE Choix Economique	SQ Sawmill Quality
CS Choix Supplimentaire	SSQ Select Sawmill Quality
FOB Free-on-Board	FAS Sawnwood Grade First and
KD Kiln Dry	Second
AD Air Dry	WBP Water and Boil Proof
Boule A Log Sawn Through and Through	MR Moisture Resistant
the boards from one log are bundled	pc per piece
together	ea each
BB/CC Grade B faced and Grade C backed	MBF 1000 Board Feet
Plywood	MDF Medium Density Fibreboard
BF Board Foot	F.CFA CFA Franc
Sq.Ft Square Foot	Price has moved up or down

Source: ITTO' Tropical Timber Market Report