RANDOM LENGTHS INTERNATIONAL: U.S. imports rebounded in 2Q; exports to China faded
EUGENE, OR, Aug. 14, 2019 (Random Lengths International) -A moderate second-quarter resurgence propelled U.S. softwood lumber imports from overseas to a 6% gain through the first half. After faltering early in 2019, shipments were back on pace to post a seventh consecutive annual hike, and once again hit a decade high.
Imports from offshore climbed to 693 million board feet in the first half, up from 656 mmbf through the first six months of 2018.
Shipments lagged the year-ago pace slightly through April, but surged in May before hitting a plateau in June. The first-half increase was modest compared to the 53% ...