Exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) were running 20 percent ahead of 2023 through the first half of 2024, according to the most recent data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System. This data was released through the Southern Forest Products Association, of which Eric Gee is Executive Director.
Southern Pine lumber exports were up 16 percent in the second quarter of 2024 over the prior quarter and up 22 percent over the same period in 2023. Exports were up 45.8 percent in June over the same month in 2023 but down 7.5 percent over May 2024, when exports reached a three-year high.
Softwood imports, meanwhile, were nearly flat in June over 2023 but down 2 percent over May.
The Southern Forest Products Association’s international consultants weighed in with the following thoughts on the second quarter and June 2024 Southern Pine exports. Here are their key takeaways among countries reporting more than 1 million board feet of imports through the first half of 2024:
• Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 47 percent over the first half of 2023 with 82.5 million board feet of imports.
• The Dominican Republic, the number two importer of Southern Pine, is running 29 percent ahead of the same period last year with 54.1 million board feet.
• India’s total of Southern Yellow Pine imports continued to trend upward, running 3 percent ahead of 2023 at 19.6 million board feet. India’s imports are almost evenly split between dressed and rough Southern Pine lumber.
• Exports to China are down a sharp 58 percent YTD compared to 2023 with 7.3 million board feet of Southern Pine lumber imports.
• The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region have imported more than 1 million board feet through the first half of 2024, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above:
• Jamaica, the third-largest export market, was down a slight 1 percent with 27.5 million board feet.
• The Leeward-Windward Islands was down 4 percent YTD with 15.7 million board feet.
• The Bahamas was down 3 percent with 10.5 million board feet.
• Belize was up 39 percent YTD with 6 million board feet.
• Netherland Antilles was up 175 percent at 6.1 million board feet.
• Haiti was up 62 percent with 5.1 million board feet.
• Barbados was up 3 percent for the year at 5 million board feet.
• Trinidad and Tobago were down 2 percent with 5 million board feet.
• The Cayman Islands were up 54 percent over 2023 to 3.4 million board feet.
• Turks and Caicos surpassed 1 million board feet of imports in June, up 22 percent over the first six months of 2023 with 1.8 million board feet .
When looking at countries that have imported more than 1 million board feet so far in 2024, here is what our consultants found:
Trending up:
• Canada has been trending higher at 44 percent over 2023 with 14.3 million board feet so far this year.
• Pakistan continues to rise, up 332 percent over the year to 8 million board feet, mostly supported by 4.9 million board feet of treated lumber imports.
• Colombia was up 36 percent over the year with 3.6 million board feet.
• Taiwan was up 24 percent with 3.2 million board feet.
• Philippines was up 35 percent with 2.1 million board feet.
• Egypt was up to 1.7 million board feet for the year, 7 percent ahead of the same time a year ago.
• Vietnam, Panama, and France, all three countries, jumped over the 1 million board feet mark in June, with 2.2 million board feet, 1.8 million board feet and 1.5 million board feet, respectively.
Trending down:
• United Kingdom just passed the 1 million board feet mark in June but is running 2 percent behind 2023.
• French Pacific Islands also barely crossed the 1 million board feet mark in June but is down 35 percent.
• The Netherlands was down 35 percent on 2 million board feet year-to-date.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the members-only site to get a full breakdown of every country’s import and export numbers for Southern Pine and treated lumber!
For more information, visit www.sfpa.org.
