Manufacturing
Oregon wood is used to make a wide range of products, generating income and employment for many rural communities.
Some examples include:
- Softwood and hardwood lumber and plywood
- Engineered wood products
- Composite wood products
- Posts, poles and timber
- Millwork
- Biomass energy
- Heating
The number of lumber mills in Oregon decreased 53 percent from 1988 to 2017 and by 38 percent from 2003 to 2017. While the number of sawmills has declined, it may not necessarily be because of declining industry. The decrease can also be partly explained by changes in mill efficiency, timber supply and industry consolidation.
Most of the facilities that make these products are located in western Oregon, close to the state’s main timber stocks. In 2013, Oregon wood processing facilities received more than 3.7 billion board feet of timber, 94.5 percent of which was harvested in Oregon.
#1 IN THE NATION
In 2017, Oregon sawmills produced more than 5.4 billion board feet of lumber, continuing the state’s longtime status as the nation’s top softwood lumber producer. Annual lumber production in Oregon has increased by 33.7 percent from 2010 to 2017. Softwood lumber prices have also increased by nearly 5 percent over the same period.
