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By rdnewsNOW Staff

TOP MARKET FOR WOOD PELLET EXPORTS

Minister Loewen travelling to Japan to promote Alberta forestry trade and investment

Nov 7, 2024 | 3:24 PM

Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen will be travelling to Japan with a delegation of forest companies on Nov. 8, in an effort to expand market opportunities for Alberta’s forestry products.

Provincial officials say Japan is Alberta’s top market for wood pellet exports and the second-largest market for lumber and wood panels. This mission is expected to give Loewen an opportunity to support Alberta’s forestry product manufacturers as they grow sales, trade and investment.

Officials say expanding market opportunities in Japan should also create jobs and boost economic growth in Alberta.

From Nov. 8-15, Minister Loewen and the delegation, including the Alberta Forest Products Association, the Canada Wood Group and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada, will attend the Council of Forest Industries Tokyo office’s 50th Anniversary Wood Forum. While there, the delegation will visit the Canadian Ambassador and meet with Japanese trading partners, as well as current and potential investors.

“Alberta’s forest companies lead the world in sustainable forest management practices and have proven their ability to supply high-quality wood products to export markets like Japan. I look forward to seeing the possibilities for the use of our wood products in new and innovative ways,” Loewen comments.

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He will be joined by two government employees, and trip expenses will be posted online.

The itinerary for Loewen is as follows:

• November 8: Travel to Tokyo, Japan
• Nov. 10-15: Site visits, meetings and tours in Tokyo and Sapporo, and attend the Council of Forest Industries Japan 50th Anniversary Reception (Nov. 12)
• November 15: Return to Alberta

Alberta exports about $260 million worth of forest products to Japan each year, including products like:

• Wood pellets – $107 million
• Pulp – $72 million
• Oriented strand board – $45 million
• Lumber – $35 million