January 2025 Southern Pine lumber exports (treated and untreated) started 2025 up 2.5% over January 2024 with 38.9 Mbf but were flat over December 2024, according to January 2025 data from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System.
Softwood imports, meanwhile, started 2025 flat compared with the same month a year ago at 1.1 Mbf but up 10% from December 2024. Overall, softwood imports ended 2024 down 2% over 2023.
When looking at the report by dollar value, Southern Pine exports started the year strong, up 10% over the first month of 2024 at $15.6 million. Mexico led the way at $4.1 million, followed by the Dominican Republic at $3.7 million, and Canada at $1.7 million.
Treated lumber exports, meanwhile, were down 13% to $8.5 million led by the Leeward-Windward Islands at $2 million, the Netherlands Antilles at $1.1 million, and the Bahamas with $881,000.
January 2025 Southern Pine Lumber Export Markets
Our international consultants weighed in with the following key takeaways on Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) export numbers among countries reporting more than 1 Mbf of imports in the first month of 2025:
- Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 14% over January 2024 with 9.9Mbf of imports.
- The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, started the year slow, down 8% with 6.9 Mbf.
- Canada, which ended 2024 as the No. 5 importer of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated), was the No. 3 importer in January, up 91% over January 2024 with 3.3 Mbf.
- India posted a slow start to the new year, down 56% with 1.5 Mbf.
- Pakistan, which ended 2024 up 68% over 2023 with 12.5 Mbf, posted a 53% gain over January 2024 with 1 Mbf.
- Exports to China, now the 10th largest importer, started the year above the 1 Mbf mark.
- The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above, imported more than 1 Mbf in January 2025:
- The Leeward-Windward Islands: up 16% over January 2024 with 36.5 Mbf.
- Jamaica: up 30% with 2.1Mbf.
- The Bahamas: up 19% with 1.9 Mbf.
- Netherland Antilles: up 98% at 1.2 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.