Carrefour International du Bois 2024 provided 20 American Softwoods representatives, including seven SFPA members, the opportunity to further establish American softwoods and Southern Pine as the premier species in Europe. The May 28-30 show didn’t disappoint.
As the largest wood trade show in Europe, AMSO representatives used the opportunity to promote and educate European importers, distributors, and design professionals about American softwood species, uses, and benefits.
Carrefour International du Bois 2024 Experience
Carrefour is a must for any American company doing business in Europe and those who are serious about doing business in the Middle East and North Africa. It’s also a show devoted entirely to wood and wood products. Europe has a well-established wood culture, so American companies can and should take advantage of this to increase their sales in the region
This was the 17th edition of Carrefour International du Bois, the largest wood and wood products trade show in Europe. The 2024 event hosted 637 exhibitors from 40 countries, with nearly 13,500 visitors representing 100 countries.
The introduction of a new exhibition hall increased the size of the show by 28%. Four halls covered all sectors of the industry including parquet, panels, construction and services, sawing, forestry, and wood trade.
AMSO delegates collected 41 written inquiries, half of which were from the French market, while the rest covered Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Germany, Italy, UAE, and Cameroon.
Southern Pine, Softwoods In Spain
Europe is a mature market; however, overall demand for and consumption of softwood lumber is on the decline, with exports of softwood lumber down from $22.4 million in 2022 to $14.1 million in 2023, a 37% decline.
Southern Pine is the largest export valued at $4.7 million, followed by “other pine” at $3.6 million and lodgepole pine at $3.4 million. Sitka Spruce, Ponderosa Pine, and Douglas Fir account for export sales of $1.2 and $500,000, respectively.
Within the European Union, Italy is the highest-valued export market in 2023, accounting for $3 million in export sales. However, that is down from $6.7 million in 2022.
Other EU countries reported the following:
- France is the second largest market with exports at $3 million, down marginally from $3.3 million in 2022.
- Spain accounts for $2.3 million, down from $2.5 million the previous year.
- Germany saw a dramatic decline from $6.4 million in 2022 to $2 million in 2023.
- United Kingdom values decreased from $4.1 million in 2022 to $3.3 million in 2023.
Click here to review the April 2024 export numbers and analysis.
Despite these numbers, AMSO members reported extremely positive conversations with interested parties and international importers at Carrefour International du Bois 2024.
It’s worth noting that Europe is in a state of flux. Economies and governments are changing and the looming European Union (EU) Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) is not encouraging exporters to prioritize the region. Despite this, anecdotal discussions at Carrefour International du Bois 2024 demonstrate a strong interest in American softwood products in Europe and wider emerging regions.
AMSO Strategic Planning
Before Carrefour International du Bois 2024 kicked off, AMSO representatives joined with the American Hardwood Export Council and teams from the U.S. Embassy in Paris and Brussels to discuss the ongoing challenges presented by forthcoming EUDR legislation.
The meeting included an event attended by more than 80 members of the trade. Rose Braden with the Softwood Export Council represented AMSO at the event outlining the breadth and depth of softwood exports as well as demonstrating a range of mass timber projects around the world, all showcasing wood as a climate-positive construction material.
Braden also was invited to speak at a second event, where she discussed timber trends in construction during a panel discussion organized by the Carrefour du Bois team.
The AMSO team took advantage of the visit and gathered for an international strategy meeting. This meeting was attended by representatives from the U.S., China, Japan, the UK, and South America. Topics covered included individual market updates, reviews of key achievements, planning for 2025, and discussions around in-market activities and branding.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the contacts secured during the show and their corresponding contact information on our members-only site!
