Released on March 26, 2018
Saskatchewan’s forestry industry is emerging as one of the province’s strongest growth sectors, generating sales of nearly $1.2 billion in 2017—a 21 per cent increase over the previous year, with the highest value of forestry product sales in over a decade.Prices for all forest products were very strong in 2017, reaching their highest levels since 2005. Prices are forecast to remain high over the next several years, largely due to strong demand from major export markets.
“Forestry is one of northern Saskatchewan’s largest industries, second only to mining,” Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “There are emerging opportunities in this sector for further expansion and increased employment, thanks to favourable conditions for continued development in terms of productivity and export markets.”
Seven of Saskatchewan’s ten large primary forest products facilities are currently operating, producing lumber, pulp and panels, and more than 170 smaller businesses are producing a variety of primary and secondary forest products.
The sector supports a total of more than 8,400 jobs, approximately 30 per cent of which are held by Indigenous people. Full development of the sector has the potential to generate more than $2 billion annually in forest products sales and support a total of more than 13,000 jobs.
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For more information, contact:
Deb Young
Energy and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4765
Email: deb.young@gov.sk.ca