NEWS RELEASE: Alberta’s Forest Sector Strengthens Ties with Japan as U.S. Trade Tensions Loom sent

Amid increasing global demand for sustainable materials and new tariff threats from the U.S., Alberta is taking bold steps to strengthen global trade ties. A recent forestry trade mission to Japan punctuates the province’s commitment to diversifying its export markets by strengthening trade relationships in Japan, Alberta’s second-largest export market for softwood lumber.

The first of its kind, this Alberta-led trade mission was headed by Minister Todd Loewen and Deputy Minister Ronda Goulden of the Government of Alberta’s Forestry and Parks ministry. Delegates from Canada Wood and Alberta’s forest industry joined the mission as well.

In a high-impact week, the Alberta delegation met with Japanese customers, developers, and builders to discuss pathways to expand wood products trade with Japan and to learn about the unique opportunities and demand for wood construction.

The Japanese market appreciates the use of wood as a building material for its superior environmental performance as compared to emissions-heavy products like steel or concrete, its biophilic qualities, and the safety it offers in seismic events. There is a fervent interest in utilizing sustainable wood products in new construction, and some exciting exploration into utilizing mass timber products like nail-laminated timber (NLT) in larger builds.

Against the backdrop of escalating U.S. tariff threats, there is no better time than the present to continue to invest in global trade relationships in key markets that are critical to the Alberta economy.

Quick Facts

• Alberta exports about $260 million worth of forest products to Japan each year.
  • Wood pellets – $107 million
  • Pulp – $72 million
  • Oriented strand board – $45 million
  • Lumber – $35 million
• Alberta produces an average of 3.8 billion board feet of lumber per year, which accounts for 18.24% of Canada’s softwood lumber production.