Timber From Russia, With Love... Blame Canada!

[CHIMO]

U.S. HOME BUILDERS SEEK NEW LUMBER SOURCES IN RUSSIA

SAINT-PETERSBURG, Russia - Oct. 11 - Addressing the International Forestry Forum here, U.S. home builders offered to share American home building technology with their Russian hosts and encouraged them to boost exports of softwood lumber and other wood products to America.

"We support opening up competition in the U.S. lumber market because we know that it will be beneficial for those families in our country who want to buy homes," said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). "We also appreciate the benefit it will bring to our home builders, who are seeking a steady supply of affordably priced lumber."

While Howard noted that the new trade pact is a misfortune for Canada, he said it represents an opportunity for Russia and the rest of Europe to increase lumber exports to the U.S. over the long term.

"Today, the U.S. is overly reliant on Canadian imports to meet its lumber needs," said Howard. "We are reaching out to you to correct this problem and we are looking to Russia to add equilibrium to our market for this essential commodity for the home building industry.

http://therealestate.observer.com/2006/10/timber-from-russia-with-love-blame-canada.html

[tuvor]

1. With housing off in the USA, how lucrative is this really for Europe?

And when are WE going to start concentrating on softwood trade with someone besides the USA?