Expect to see higher lumber prices for some time to come.
President of the Ontario Forest Industries Association Ian Dunn says blame it on the pandemic
He says stay-at-home orders and lockdowns have led to increased building and renovations.
“Lumber producers have been trying to keep pace and catch up, but it takes time,” states Dunn.
“It takes time to ramp up production. Mills have to gear up. Timber has to be made available through the forest management process.”
Dunn adds many of those mills shut down the pandemic, leading to a shortage of wood products available.
“Early in the pandemic production at some mills was reduced due to a lot of uncertainty. Even you know, employees…safety measures being put into place at mills. Production shrunk in the early part of 2020.”
Dunn adds the pandemic has led to a renewed interest in wood products, which is good for the industry.
