North America: Softwood lumber output still increasing at end of March

The gradual recovery observed in US and Canadian softwood lumber output since 2010 continued in the early months of this year. After growth in output against the respective year before to the tune of 12% in 2010 and 4% in 2011, total North American output increased in the first quarter of 2012 by 5% against the same period of last year to 30.3m m³. Growth amounted to 10% against the fourth quarter of 2011.