THE forest production in Northern Mindanao continues to increase as the total volume of processed forest products during the first quarter of 2018 raised by 17 percent compared to last year of the same period.
Based on the report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Northern Mindanao, a 31.6 percent improvement was recorded in the volume of processed lumber in the first quarter of the year, with Misamis Oriental posting the highest volume of 26,914.22 cubic meter.
Veneer and plywood productions, however, declined by 25.7 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively.
The production of sawlog, meanwhile, significantly increased by 64.6 percent during the same period of this year. This was attributed to the increase of the level of production in almost all of the provinces in the region.
According to the National Economic Development Authority (Neda)-Northern Mindanao, Bukidnon has the highest level of sawlog production by 84 percent, followed by Lanao del Norte, 55.3 percent; Misamis Oriental, 23.9 percent; and Misamis Occidental, 13.9 percent.
Camiguin, however, recorded a decline in production by 57.4 percent.
Meanwhile, the total value of exports of wood products expanded by more than 2,000 percent, amounted to US$100.709 million in 2018 compared to US$4.564 million in 2017.
Neda said the surge in the total value of exports of wood products is due to the increasing demand in China.
Falcata is the leading wood product shipped to China, Neda added.