Alberta forestry industry on the upswing

Alberta's forestry industry had a good year in 2013 and its success is expected to continue.

The Alberta Forest Products Association says there was a 14 per cent increase last year in the value of its products. Sales are expected to remain strong into the future.

Part of that success is being attributed to market diversification.

"With the U.S. market turned down in about 2008, we knew that we had to go out and find some more customers," said Brock Mulligan, director of communications with the Alberta Forest Products Association.

"We put some resources into developing the Asian market and particularly China where they haven't sort of built with wood."

Mulligan says wood can withstand earthquakes better than concrete and cinder blocks.

He also says the turnaround in the U.S. economy has boosted sales.