Forestry industry in Saskatchewan generates nearly $1.2B in sales

The provincial government says Saskatchewan’s forestry industry generated sales of nearly $1.2 billion in 2017.

This growth for the sector translates into a 21 per cent increase over 2016 and the highest value of forestry product sales in over a decade.

Seven of the 10 large primary facilities in the province are currently in operation. Over 170 smaller businesses are also producing a variety of forest products.

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“Forestry is one of northern Saskatchewan’s largest industries, second only to mining,” Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said in a press release.

“There are emerging opportunities in this sector for further expansion and increased employment, thanks to favourable conditions for continued development in terms of productivity and export markets.”

Government officials said 2017 prices for all forest products reached their highest levels since 2005 and there will be strong demand from major export markets over the next several years.

The Saskatchewan forestry sector supports over 8,400 employees, around 30 per cent of which are Indigenous workers.