VANCOUVER, B.C. – Canfor is temporarily curtailing operations at all its British Columbia sawmills effective April 29. The forest products giant cited low lumber prices and the high cost of fiber for the closures.

Announced April 24, the curtailment will reduce Canfor’s production output by approximately 100 million board feet, the company said. No information was given as to when the shutdown would be lifted.

Canfor has 13 sawmills in Canada, with a total annual capacity of approximately 3.8 billion board feet, including one in Alberta, plus the Forest Centre in British Columbia. The company also has five lumber operations in South Carolina – with a sixth acquisition, Elliott Sawmilling for $110 million (USD) underway – plus three in Alabama, two in Georgia, and one each in North Carolina, Arkansas and Mississippi, according to its website.

This is the second announced shutdown this year by Canfor in the province. Citing log supply constraints, log costs and market conditions, Canfor on Jan. 30 curtailed production at three of its BC mills: Vanenby for six weeks, and Houston and Mackenzie for one week. The company also curtailed operations in British Columbia late last year.

For 2018, the company reported an operating income of $609 million, and an adjusted shareholder net income of $488 million. Sales were $5.044 billion (Canadian). Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. Canfor Corp.  (TSX:CFP) was recently recognized as one of BC's Top Employers for 2019 by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers, in a special magazine published Feb. 21 in the Vancouver Sun.