Wood pellet exports to Europe increased over 70% during third quarter of 2012

Rapid expansion of wood pellet production in both the US South and British Columbia has dramatically increased pellet exports from North America to Europe the past year, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review. In the 3Q/12, total shipments were up 70 percent year over-year to 860,000 tons. The growth is expected to continue with numerous plans for adding capacity, particularly in the US South.

Pellet exports from the US South have skyrocketed the past two years with a quadrupling to 485,000 tons from the 3Q/10 to 3Q/12 to the 485,000 tons.