B.C. manufacturing shipments for sawmills and wood preservation were up by 33.7 per cent through to July over the same period last year, according to figures produced by Statistics Canada.
B.C. Forests Minister Pat Bell said he believes the uptick is a product of increases to the United States at the expense of its competitors, as well as increases into Asia, including the emerging market of China.
According to provincial statistics, shipments to the U.S. are up 16 per cent during the first seven months of 2010 over last year, while shipments to China are up 48 per cent and to Japan by 34 per cent.
Bell pointed to the competitive position of mills like Dunkley Lumber, Carrier Lumber and Canfor Corp.'s Isle Pierre sawmill, which he characterized as among the best in the world.
He also pointed to the resumption of mills in Mackenzie by Canfor and Conifex.
Bell acknowledged that the industry has not fully recovered from a lengthy downturn, but he said he believes it is in the early stages of recovery.
The forest sector was hit hard by a collapse in U.S. housing, which was exacerbated by a global recession, a rise in the value of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. currency and an export tax on lumber shipments to the U.S.
Some sawmills remain shuttered in northern B.C., including Winton Global and Canfor's Rustad Bros. in Prince George.
Recently Canfor announced it was also permanently shutting down its Clear Lake sawmill just southwest of Prince George.
