US hardwood exports, 1st Quarter 2012
A summary based on the January-March export data in the Middle East & Africa.
Middle East & North Africa
According to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture, exports of American hardwood lumber to the Middle East & North Africa region reached a volume of 18,818 m3 in the first quarter of 2012, rising by 10 per cent on the same three of months last year. This equated to a value of US$13.5 million and marked an increase of 22 per cent on the value achieved in January to March of 2011. At the same time, US hardwood veneers shipped directly to the MENA region (i.e. not from Europe or Asia) reached a value of US$5.3 million during the period, rising by 3 per cent on the same three months last year. The majority of this was destined for Egypt and Turkey.
The United Arab Emirates was the most significant export destination for American hardwood lumber during the January to March period of this year, importing some 3,830 m3 directly from the United States, at a value of US$3.48 million. This marked an increase of 52 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively, on the same period in 2011. Increases in shipments of US hardwood lumber were also seen to other markets in the MENA region, including Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Qatar, Oman and Morocco.
In terms of species, exports of American hardwood lumber to the MENA region during the first quarter of this year were dominated by red oak, ash, white, walnut and tulipwood. Red oak continued to be the single most imported species, while gains were seen in the volumes of ash, white oak and tulipwood shipped to the region.
South Africa
According to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture, exports of American hardwood lumber to South Africa reached a volume of 2,038 m3 in the first quarter of 2012, falling by 15 per cent on the same three months of last year. This equated to a value of US$1.59 million and marked a decrease of 14 per cent on the value achieved in January to March of 2011. At the same time, US hardwood veneers shipped directly to India (i.e. not from Europe or Asia) reached a value of US$838,000 during the period, rising by 41 per cent on the same three months last year.
Exports of US hardwood lumber to South Africa during the first quarter of this year were dominated by white oak, along with smaller volumes of ash, walnut, maple and tulipwood.