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Chile earthquake boosts Quebec lumber industry
15/03/2010
The powerful earthquakes that have created so much damage in Chile over the last few weeks have given a boost to the wood-processing industry in Quebec.
Chile is a major global exporter of products from its pine growing industry. It was hit by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake on 27 February, followed by several powerful aftershocks, which have caused massive destruction to the country.
As Chile concentrates on clearing up the damage, wood producers in other countries are filling in the demand gap that has been left. However, even with Canadian producers stepping up input, Chile is such a major exporter of lumber it will be difficult for North America to fill the gap.
Alexis Boulanger, from Roland Boulanger Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of wood products in Quebec, said: "Almost half of what is consumed as wood products, wood mouldings and millwork in North America is made of South American supply."
The increase in input will mean that companies will need to hire extra workers and it could also mean an increase in prices of wood products.
The shortage in supply of Chilean wood products could last up to a year, it has been reported, as repairs are carried out on factories which were damaged in the earthquake and to the country's transport infrastructure.
Chile is a major global exporter of products from its pine growing industry. It was hit by a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake on 27 February, followed by several powerful aftershocks, which have caused massive destruction to the country.
As Chile concentrates on clearing up the damage, wood producers in other countries are filling in the demand gap that has been left. However, even with Canadian producers stepping up input, Chile is such a major exporter of lumber it will be difficult for North America to fill the gap.
Alexis Boulanger, from Roland Boulanger Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of wood products in Quebec, said: "Almost half of what is consumed as wood products, wood mouldings and millwork in North America is made of South American supply."
The increase in input will mean that companies will need to hire extra workers and it could also mean an increase in prices of wood products.
The shortage in supply of Chilean wood products could last up to a year, it has been reported, as repairs are carried out on factories which were damaged in the earthquake and to the country's transport infrastructure.
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