2024 Southern Pine Lumber Exports Surge 11% Despite Year-End Decline

2024 Southern Pine Exports

Year-end 2024 Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) exports hit 565.7 Mbf, which was up 11% over the previous year, according to December 2024 data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System.

On a monthly basis, Southern Pine lumber exports were up 21.9% in December 2024 over the same month in 2023 but down 2.2% from November 2024. December’s total of 38.9 Mbf was the second-lowest of 2024 after January’s 37.9 Mbf of exports.

Softwood imports, meanwhile, were down 11.5% in December 2024 compared with the same month a year ago and down 11% from November 2024. Overall, softwood imports ended 2024 down 2% over 2023.

When looking at the report by dollar value, Southern Pine exports ended 2024 up 6% over 2023 at $211.5 million. Mexico led the way at $57.9 million, followed by the Dominican Republic at $48.2 million, and India at $16.9 million.

Treated lumber exports, meanwhile, ended the year flat at $133.1 million led by the Leeward-Windward Islands at $23.7 million, Jamaica at $19.9 million, and the Netherlands Antilles at $10.3 million.

2024 Southern Pine Lumber Export Markets

Our international consultants weighed in with the following key takeaways among countries tallying more than 1 Mbf of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) exports in 2024:

  • Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 23% over 2023 with 150.2 Mbf of imports. This was led largely by dressed Southern Pine lumber.
  • The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, ended the year 19.1% ahead of 2023 with 92.3 Mbf. This was led largely by rough Southern Pine lumber.
  • India’s total of SYP imports ended 3.1% ahead of last year with 36.6 Mbf.
  • Canada: up 30% with 27.4 Mbf in 2024. Canada ended the year as the No. 5 importer of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated).
  • Exports to China, now the seventh largest importer, continue to plummet, ending 2024 down 44.5% compared to 2023 with 15.1 Mbf of Southern Pine lumber imports.
  • Pakistan: up 68% over the year with 12.5 Mbf.
  • The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above, tallied more than 173 Mbf of Southern Pine lumber exports in 2024:
    • Jamaica: the third-largest export market ended 2024 down 1% with 54.4 Mbf.
    • The Leeward-Windward Islands: up 16% with 36.5 Mbf.
    • The Bahamas: down 1% with 20.5 Mbf.
    • Netherland Antilles: up 67% at 12.1 Mbf.
    • Belize: up 14% with 1 Mbf.
    • Haiti: up 22% with 10.1 Mbf.
    • Barbados: up 8% at 9.9 Mbf.
    • Trinidad and Tobago: down 7% with 9 Mbf.
    • The Cayman Islands: up 20% over 2023 to 5.4 Mbf.
    • Panama: up 257% to 4.1 Mbf.
    • Turks and Caicos: up 24% with 3.3 Mbf.
    • El Salvador: up over the year with 2.6 Mbf.
    • Costa Rica: up over the year with 2.5 Mbf.
    • Honduras: down over the year with 1.4 Mbf.

 

When looking at export markets that tallied less than 12 Mbf in 2024, Southeast Asia continues to be an emerging growth market for Southern Pine lumber exports:

  • Philippines: up 9% with 5.9 Mbf.
  • Vietnam: up 260% over the year to 5 Mbf.
  • Taiwan: up 6 with 4.4 Mbf.

 

SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the member portal to get a full breakdown of every country’s import and export numbers for Southern Pine and treated lumber!

*Note: data are expressed in Million Board Feet (Mbf) unless otherwise indicated.