Canfor curtails Canadian lumber production by 100 mmbf

Canfor Corporation is undertaking additional temporary reductions in production capacity due to the impact of COVID-19 on the price of lumber and demand.

The following changes to Canfor’s operating schedule are in addition to the capacity reductions announced on March 26.

Effective April 13, Canadian lumber production will be curtailed by approximately 100 million board feet through to May 1, resulting in a total production run rate of approximately 30%. These reductions will be achieved by taking downtime at the majority of their British Columbia sawmills.

Canfor Southern Pine and Swedish facilities will continue to operate at less than full capacity with variable operating schedules and downtime, which will be adjusted to align production with market demand as required. These reduced operating rates are expected to remain in effect through May 1.

“As the global impacts of COVID-19 continue to evolve, there is the potential that further adjustments to operating plans may be required,” the company said in the press release.

Canfor is a leading integrated forest products company based in Vancouver, Canada. Canfor produces primarily softwood lumber.