Saudi Arabia imported $1.56 billion in wood products, making the Middle Eastern country a prime target for 10 representatives from American Softwoods, including five Southern Forest Products Association members, to attend the first Saudi Wood EXPO from September 2-4, 2024.
And there’s room to grow, as the United States accounts for just less than 1% of the imports, with major players including China at $381 million, Thailand at $190 million, Indonesia at $130 million, Finland at $120 million, and Sweden at $116 million.
Saudi Wood Expo Experience
The show, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was the first to be held. Because of the dramatic growth projections in the region, it is one of several shows during the year focused on construction and the wood industry, including Saudi WoodShow, which took place in May 2025.
The American Softwoods team felt the Saudi Wood Expo was more conducive to business, as the May dates clashed with other key events on the trade show calendar.
Given this is a fairly new market, AMSO and SFPA attendees learned there is a lack of awareness of and education on Southern Pine and American softwoods. That’s why they used the opportunity to improve the level of knowledge about American softwood species, grades, and sizes among visitors.
Saudi Expo had 140 exhibitors from more than 30 countries with 6,180 attendees representing a range of businesses across the kingdom. Those attendees represented:
- Contractors: 20%
- Agent/Distributors: 12.1%
- Manufacturers: 10.2%
- Consultants: 8.7%
- Interior designers: 8.2%
- Furniture manufacturers: 8.1%
- Architectural firms: 5%
- Property/Real estate developers: 4.3%
- Woodworking professionals: 3.9%
- Education and Training: 2.9%
Considering this was the first Saudi Wood Expo, the team was pleased with the quality and quantity (they collected 60) of business inquiries, with plans to return in 2025.
Southern Pine, Softwoods In Saudi Arabia
Saudi is an exciting market for anyone working in the construction industry. The wood market value is projected to amount to $1 billion in 2024 and grow at a compound annual rate of 2.55% between 2024 and 2029, according to DMG, the show organizers.
The Saudi Arabian construction industry, meanwhile, is worth $1.6 trillion. That market is growing at a fast pace, with plans to construct 1.5 million new homes by 2030 and a growing need for doors, windows, and furniture manufacturing.
The Saudi market for Southern Pine and treated lumber grew 327% between 2003 and 2023, with 5.9 Mbf sent to the Middle East country in 2023. However, it’s only imported 323 thousand board feet through August this year, 100% of which is treated Southern Pine lumber.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the contacts secured during the show and their corresponding contact information on our members-only site!