The most recent data available from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System, and published by the Softwood Forest Products Association.
Exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) are running 10 percent ahead of 2023 year-to-date, according to the most recent data available from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System, and published by the Southern Forest Products Association.
On a monthly basis, Southern Pine lumber exports were down 15.3 percent in November 2024 over the same month in 2023 and down 2 percent from October 2024. November’s total of 39.8 million board feet was the second-lowest total this year after January’s 37.9 million board feet of exports.
Softwood imports, meanwhile, were down 2.4 percent from November 2023 and down 4 percent from October 2024. Overall, softwood imports are running 2 percent behind the first 11 months of 2023 at 1.1 million board feet.
When looking at the report by dollar value, Southern Pine exports between January and November 2024 are running 5 percent ahead of the same period in 2023 at $197.3 million, with Mexico leading the way at $54.6 million, followed by the Dominican Republic at $45.7 million and India at $15 million. Treated lumber exports, meanwhile, are nearly flat over the year at $122.7 million led by the Leeward-Windward Islands at $21.2 million, Jamaica with $19 million and the Netherlands Antilles at $9.5 million.
Our international consultants weighed in with the following key takeaways on the November 2024 Southern Pine export numbers among countries reporting more than 1 million board feet of imports through the first 11 months of 2024:
- Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 24 percent YTD over 2023 with 141.7 million board feet of imports. This is led largely by dressed Southern Pine lumber. November’s 8.2 million board feet was the lowest monthly total so far in 2024 after reaching a high of 18.1 million board feet in June.
- The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, is running 17 percent ahead of the same period last year with 87 million board feet. This is led largely by rough Southern Pine lumber.
- India’s total of Southern Yellow Pine imports continues to trend upward, running 3 percent ahead of 2023 at 50.6 million board feet.
- Exports to China continue to plummet, down 47 percent YTD compared to 2023 with 14.2 million board feet of Southern Pine lumber imports. Note: This was the first month in 2024 exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) surpassed 2 million board feet.
- The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above, have imported more than 1 million board feet through November 2024:
- Jamaica: the third-largest export market is down 3 percent over the year with 50.6 million board feet. This is Jamaica’s second-lowest total this year after January’s 1.6 million board feet of imports.
- The Leeward-Windward Islands: up 13 percent YTD with 33 million board feet.
- The Bahamas: down 4 percent with 18.6 million board feet.
- Netherland Antilles: up 76 percent at 11.3 million board feet.
- Belize: up 16 percent YTD with 10.4 million board feet.
- Barbados: up 9 percent for the year at 9.4 million board feet.
- Haiti: up 10 percent with 9.1 million board feet.
- Trinidad and Tobago: down 9 percent with 8.4 million board feet.
- The Cayman Islands: up 30 percent over 2023 to 5 million board feet.
- Turks and Caicos: up 19 percent with 3 million board feet.
- Panama: up 178 percent to 2.6 million board feet.
- El Salvador: 2.5 million board feet.
- Costa Rica: 2.2 million board feet.
- Honduras: 1.4 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: trending higher at 29 percent over 2023 with 25.6 million board feet so far this year.
- Pakistan: continues to rise, up 73 percent over the year to 11.6 million board feet.
- Colombia: up 9 percent over the year with 5.4 million board feet.
- Philippines: up 11 percent with 5 million board feet. The 975 thousand board feet imported in November was the country’s highest total so far in 2024.
- Vietnam: up over the year to 4.6 million board feet.
- Taiwan: up 15 percent with 4.3 million board feet.
- France: up to 2.3 million board feet.
- United Kingdom: up 19 percent over 2023 with 1.9 million board feet.
Trending down:
- The Netherlands: down 51 percent on 2.8 million board feet YTD.
- Egypt: 2.6 million board feet for the year.
- Denmark: 1.5 million board feet of exports YTD.
- French Pacific Islands: down 18 percent with 1.3 million board feet.
- Italy: down 7 percent with 1.3 million board feet.
- Peru: 1.3 million board feet of exports YTD.
- Australia: down 8 percent with 1 million board feet.
For more information, visit www.southernpine.com.
