A pathway to a more prosperous future for the NL forest industry must focus largely on ways to increase productivity and competitiveness. Currently, the sector faces tough competition from a growing array of low-cost, emerging market producers. As such, the need to lower production costs is paramount to maintaining competitiveness. Along the forest value chain the four largest input costs for most products are fibre, personnel, transportation and energy and cost competitiveness is largely a function of these inputs. While the sector faces tough competition it also has a number of key competitive advantages, including the quality of its fibre, proximity to markets in eastern Canada and the United States, a competent workforce, and a paper mill with relatively inexpensive electricity.

The NLFIA is committed to increasing productivity and competitiveness through partnerships that spur innovation, promoting application of new technologies and advancing training and awareness in support of the sector.