China edges U.S. as top consumer of B.C. lumber

China’s voracious appetite for lumber is good news for the Okanagan’s lumber mills.

In May, the Chinese bought $120 million of softwood lumber products from B.C., slightly edging out the United States as our top customer.

Until now, the U.S. has always been the biggest customer of the province’s softwood lumber.

Sales to China have been increasing between 50% and 80% every year, according to the provincial government.

John Langley of Tolko Industries in Vernon says the Chinese orders are keeping a lot of mills in operation and keeping many people employed.

The U.S. is expected to regain its position as the top consumer of B.C. softwood once its economy recovers, but lumber companies hope that China will remain an important market.