THE forest production in Northern Mindanao continues to increase as the total volume of processed forest products during the second quarter of 2019 raised by 34.7 percent compared to last year of the same period.
According to the report of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Northern Mindanao, a 329 percent growth was recorded in the volume of plywood in the second quarter of the year, with Misamis Occidental posting the highest volume of 16,234.07 cubic meter.
The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Northern Mindanao said the increase production of plywood in Misamis Occidental is due to higher demand in the said province.
Lumber, which constituted about 64 percent of the total production of processed forest products in the second quarter of 2019, posted an increase of 11.4 percent, from 38,426.02 cubic meter to 42,797.32 cubic meter.
As the lone exported wood product in the second quarter of 2019, the volume of exported lumber grew by 14.1 percent, reaching 55,705.25 cubic meters valued at US$4.311 million.
The growth in volume of exported lumber, Neda said, was attributed to the modest demand for exports of Falcata lumber to China.
In terms of value, the exported lumber also grew by 24.4 percent (from US$3.471 million to US$4.311 million).
The volume of veneer and blockboard, on the other hand, decreased by 17.7 percent and 15.1 percent, respectively, however, their combined share to the overall regional production of 8.5 percent was not enough to prevent increase in the overall volume of processed forest products, according to Neda.
Meanwhile, Sawlog production also posted increase during the same period of this year by 70.2 percent to 28,904.66 cubic meters from 16,979.21 cubic meters in the second quarter of 2018.
Neda said the growth in the volume of sawlog production was brought about by the improved sawlog production (Falcata and Mahogany) in Misamis Occidental. The notable increase was due to higher demand of falcata lumber from China and local markets.
Also contributing to the positive output is the growth in sawlog production in Misamis Oriental, Neda added.
Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, on the other hand, posted declines in production by 17.9 percent and 31.9 percent, respectively.