Non coniferous sawnwood market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The Canadian non-coniferous sawnwood market began the period at a high of 1.3 million m³ in 2018, supported by a price boom for lumber and a stable commercial-arbitration system for Quebec sawmill operators. Market volume then contracted to 991 thousand m³ by 2020, as U.S. anti-dumping duties of approximately 14% on Canadian softwood lumber increased export costs, prompting producers to adjust their strategies and reduce output.

Following a partial recovery to 1.0 million m³ in 2021, influenced by U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate policies affecting construction demand, market volume stabilized around 1.04 million m³ in 2022 and 2023. During these years, domestic production faced continued pressure from a sharp post-pandemic decline in lumber prices, which squeezed producer margins, and a 16% drop in the overall Canadian saw-log market in 2023 that reflected weaker underlying demand.

Market dynamics in 2024 were shaped by the ongoing U.S. trade measures, including an announced future increase in import duties, and the closure of the Scierie St-Michel sawmill in Quebec, which reduced regional processing capacity for non-coniferous sawnwood.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Canada ranked 16th globally in non-coniferous sawnwood production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

Non-coniferous sawnwood production in Canada declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Canada produced 997 K m³, marking a modest contraction of 3.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 36.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Canada's non-coniferous sawnwood production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 527.6 M $ US, down by 5.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 32.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Canada

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Canada exported 488.6 K m³ of non-coniferous sawnwood, representing a strong drop of 17.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.7%, with an annualized rate of 5.9%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 588.9 K m³, which saw the largest increase of 3.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Canada's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in kind were primarily directed towards the United States and China, which together accounted for 85.2% of total flows, while other destinations played a secondary role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Canada's non-coniferous sawnwood export volume declined. In 2020, exports totalled 258.5 M $ US, which is 18.5% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 317.1 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (44.4% of exports in value terms), China (31.2%), and Japan (3.5%) together absorbed 79.2% of Canada's total non-coniferous sawnwood exports in value, making them the main destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Canada

Imports in kind, K m³

Canada's non-coniferous sawnwood import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 481.9 K m³, which is 19.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States was the key partner for Canada's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in kind, accounting for 95.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Non-coniferous sawnwood shipments to Canada from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 210.4 M $ US, indicating a decrease of 17.3% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 268.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 0.6% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017-2020, the structure of Canada's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United States, with a share of 92.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020