(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alex Rodgerson

Forestry News

Saskatchewan forestry sector sets new sales record in 2021

Mar 8, 2022 | 1:00 PM

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story claimed the increase was due to the four major forestry projects happening in northern Saskatchewan and that the Carrot River sawmill project was completed last year instead of being announced.

Saskatchewan’s forestry sector reached an all-time high of $1.8 billion in forestry product sales in 2021, which represents an increase of 60 per cent from 2020.

The Government of Saskatchewan attributed the rise to increasing market prices for lumber and OSB, continued growth of Asian economies, and more housing starts in the U.S.

“These record numbers are more great news for Saskatchewan’s economy and show we’re fully on track to achieve our goals of doubling forestry sector growth by 2030 and substantially increasing the value of our exports,” said Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre.

In September 2021, the province announced timber allocations to support four major forestry projects, totaling nearly $1 billion in capital investments. This includes the construction of an oriented strand board (OSB) mill in Prince Albert, expansion of the Carrot River sawmill, upgrades to the Big River sawmill, and the reopening of the Prince Albert pulp mill.

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They say the new projects are expected to create over 2,600 forestry jobs.

According to the province, Saskatchewan is also home to the largest 100 per cent First Nations owned forest product mill in Canada, NorSask Forest Products in Meadow Lake. Indigenous people comprise over 27 per cent of Saskatchewan’s total forestry sector workforce, the highest percentage of any province.

“Forestry is currently the largest sector in our province’s north, supports nearly 8,000 jobs and relies heavily on Indigenous workers and businesses.” said Eyre.

In addition, Saskatchewan has seven large primary forest product facilities producing lumber, OSB and pulp. Approximately 210 businesses produce a variety of primary and secondary forest products, and over 230 supply chain businesses provide goods and services that support primary forest product manufacturers.