For the first time in the province's history, China has topped the U.S. as the number one export market for B.C. softwood lumber.
In May China purchased 470 million board feet of lumber for $122.1 million. The U.S. paid $118.6 million for 526 million board feet of lumber in the same month.
Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell said the numbers represent a milestone for the province's forestry industry.
"It means stability and confidence for people who work in the industry," Bell said. "Now when you have a soft spot in the market, like U.S. housing starts, you have a pressure valve in China. We've got real diversity. It's something we've talked about over over a decade."
It's a major change for an industry which relied on the U.S. as its largest market for over 80 years, Bell said.
Exports to China have grown exponentially since 2006, while U.S. exports have been slumping since 2004.
"Last year for the first time, Japan and China combined exceeded exports to the U.S.," Bell said. "[But] I didn't expect it to happen this fast, and I've been the optimist on this file."
Bell, who served as forest minister from June 2008 to March 2011, said it's taken a substantial amount of work by government and the forestry industry from the front line up to the senior management to open the door into China.
"I think it's a combination of everyone working together over a number of years that has made this happen," Bell said. "Everyone should be very proud of what they've achieved."
For full coverage, see Monday's edition of the Citizen.
