US overtakes Canada in pellet export review

According to a new report the US surpassed Canada as the largest wood pellet exporter in the world for the first half of 2012.

The report, compiled by the North American Wood Fibre Review, says both South US and British Columbia regions reached a record high of 760,000 tonnes of produce in the second quarter of 2012. An estimated figure of 1.5 million tonnes has been mooted to come from southern US by the end of the year.

Pellet export volumes from South US rose 13% in the second quarter from the previous one, this despite some temporary slowdowns including a fire at one consumer based in the UK.

Canadian exports to Europe however did rise by 14% in the same time period, and it is believed British Columbia pellet plants are running at full capacity thanks to that demand.