Forest products industry contributes heavily to Mississippi, U.S. economy

• Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association executive director says forest products are renewable, sustainable and vital to the strength of rural economies, supporting jobs in manufacturing, forestry and logging.

This week, October 18-24, is National Forest Products Week. It is a nationally designated week to recognize the forest products industry and its contributions to our nation and great state.

As an industry, we provide valuable jobs in rural communities, boost local economies and provide sustainable products that build our homes and communities. 

Forest products are renewable, sustainable and vital to the strength of our rural economies, supporting jobs in manufacturing, forestry and logging.

According to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce and the Mississippi Forestry Association, more than 84,000 jobs are supported by forestry and forest-related industries, employing 5.18 percent of our state’s workforce. Each year, our industry generates $4.42 billion in income for Mississippi families.

As an organization made up of these dedicated individuals, we are proud to support and advocate for the forest products industry. 

With 64 percent of Mississippi covered in forestland, it’s no surprise that forestry ranks as our state’s second largest commodity and is the leading agricultural commodity in over half of the counties in the state.

The industry contributes $15.44 billion to Mississippi’s economy each year, with forest products manufacturing accounting for 14.9 percent of the state’s total manufacturing GDP. 

During the first recognition of National Forest Products Week in 1960, Congress said, “Our country and its people have always found constant strength, individual peace and personal pride in the bounty of forest and timberland; and from the beginning of our Nation’s founding, the forest and its products have provided a core of living and freedom touching and inspiring each citizen with majestic beauty and practical use.” 

Join us as we celebrate the everyday products we enjoy that are made from our forests!