Million cords 
200 
175 
150 
125 
100 
75 
50 
1950 1960 1970 
1980 
1990 2000 
Figure 11—Pulpwood consumption, 1950-86, with projections to 2040. 
pallets in particular are expected to 
increase. 
Imports of timber products have been 
rising and have supplied important 
parts of the Nation’s woodpulp, 
newsprint, and softwood lumber. Net 
imports (imports minus exports), 
however, are expected to decrease from 
current levels of about 2 billion to 1.6 
billion cubic feet by 2040. Much of the 
decrease is in the later decades of the 
projection period. Most imports 
originate from Canada. The 1980’s 
were characterized by several trade 
disputes with Canada centered on 
softwood lumber, western redcedar 
shakes and shingles, and softwood 
plywood. Similar disagreements have 
characterized this bilateral trade 
relationship in earlier decades of the 
20th century. It is assumed that the 
current issues will be resolved over 
time and that future imports from 
Canada will be determined largely by 
U.S. demand and the extent and 
competitiveness of Canada’s timber 
resource. Canada’s longrun supply 
potential is currently unknown, but 
many experts feel that historical rates 
of growth in harvest volume cannot 
continue in the future. This consensus 
is reflected in projections of softwood 
lumber imports from Canada, which 
stabilize after the turn of the century. 
Exports of timber products have also 
been going up. The outlook for exports 
varies by product, however. Because of 
assumed offsetting trends among 
2010 
Plant byproducts 
2020 
2030 2040 
various products, annual export 
volumes are projected to increase from 
2.0 billion cubic feet currently to 2.5 
billion cubic feet by the turn of the 
century and stay at this level through 
the projection period. 
The volume of imports of logs into the 
United States has generally been small 
over the years and has not been a major 
trade or domestic issue. Beginning in 
the 1960’s and continuing today, 
however, the export of softwood logs 
has at various times been a national 
issue. These exports originate mainly 
in Washington and Oregon and affect 
roundwood prices and the structure of 
the timber industries in that part of the 
country. The existing prohibition on 
roundwood exports from Federal lands 
11 
