An 8 percent increase in a billion-dollar industry is significant, but timber still fell from its long-held second place spot on Mississippi’s agricultural commodity list.
James Henderson, assistant forestry professor with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service, is estimating the 2012 value of Mississippi forest products to be $1.03 billion, compared with $957 million the previous year. Final numbers using more complete data will replace the estimate in February.
Forestry has been in one of the state’s top two commodities for a quarter of a century, spending the last 16 years behind poultry and eggs. In 2012, MSU economists predict soybeans will leap into second, pushing forestry to the No. 3 position.
Henderson said forestry and forest products sectors will remain a driving force in the state’s economy. “Processing harvested timber into products, such as lumber, paper and wood furniture, results in an economic impact to the state, amounting to more than $10 billion in sales and contributing to more than 63,000 jobs,” he said.
From Mississippi State University: https://msucares.com/news/print/agnews/an12/121213forestry.html