Florida’s Port Manatee has seen a dramatic decline in plywood traffic, from more than 239,000 tons of plywood in 2005 to just over 75,000 tons in 2007 and, so far this year, 7,000 tons, reports the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Southwest Florida’s housing explosion pushed plywood demand to record levels from 2000, until 2005 when the US housing market started to tumble.
However, helped by the hurricanes of 2003-5, which increased demand for building materials, the port continued to handle up to 600,000 tons of forest products.
A port spokesman said recent price increases for plywood indicated that demand was improving.
