November 2024 Southern Pine exports (treated and untreated) are running 10% ahead of 2023 year-to-date, according to November 2024 data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System.
On a monthly basis, Southern Pine lumber exports were down 15.3% in November 2024 over the same month in 2023 and down 2% from October 2024. November’s total of 39.8 Mbf was the second-lowest total this year after January’s 37.9 Mbf of exports.
Softwood imports, meanwhile, were down 2.4% from November 2023 and down 4% from October 2024. Overall, softwood imports are running 2% behind the first 11 months of 2023 at 1.1 Mbf.
When looking at the report by dollar value, Southern Pine exports between January and November 2024 are running 5% ahead of the same period in 2023 at $197.3 million, with Mexico leading the way at $54.6 million, followed by the Dominican Republic at $45.7 million, and India at $15 million. Treated lumber exports, meanwhile, are nearly flat over the year at $122.7 million led by the Leeward-Windward Islands at $21.2 million, Jamaica with $19 million, and the Netherlands Antilles at $9.5 million.
Our international consultants weighed in with the following key takeaways on the November 2024 Southern Pine export numbers among countries reporting more than 1 Mbf of imports through the first 11 months of 2024:
- Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 24% YTD over 2023 with 141.7 Mbf of imports. This is led largely by dressed Southern Pine lumber. November’s 8.2 Mbf was the lowest monthly total so far in 2024 after reaching a high of 18.1 Mbf in June.
- The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, is running 17% ahead of the same period last year with 87 Mbf. This is led largely by rough Southern Pine lumber.
- India’s total of SYP imports continues to trend upward, running 3% ahead of 2023 at 50.6 Mbf.
- Exports to China continue to plummet, down 47% YTD compared to 2023 with 14.2 Mbf of Southern Pine lumber imports. Note: This was the first month in 2024 exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) surpassed 2 Mbf.
- The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above, have imported more than 1 Mbf through November 2024:
- Jamaica: the third-largest export market is down 3% over the year with 50.6 Mbf. This is Jamaica’s second-lowest total this year after January’s 1.6 Mbf of imports.
- The Leeward-Windward Islands: up 13% YTD with 33 Mbf.
- The Bahamas: down 4% with 18.6 Mbf.
- Netherland Antilles: up 76% at 11.3 Mbf.
- Belize: up 16% YTD with 4 Mbf.
- Barbados: up 9% for the year at 9.4 Mbf.
- Haiti: up 10% with 9.1 Mbf.
- Trinidad and Tobago: down 9% with 8.4 Mbf.
- The Cayman Islands: up 30% over 2023 to 5 Mbf.
- Turks and Caicos: up 19% with 3 Mbf.
- Panama: up 178% to 2.6 Mbf.
- El Salvador:5 Mbf.
- Costa Rica: 2 Mbf
- Honduras:4 Mbf.
When looking at countries that have imported more than 1 Mbf so far in 2024, here is what our consultants found:
Trending up:
- Canada: trending higher at 29% over 2023 with 25.6 Mbf so far this year.
- Pakistan: continues to rise, up 73% over the year to 11.6 Mbf.
- Colombia: up 9% over the year with 5.4 Mbf.
- Philippines: up 11% with 5 Mbf. The 975 thousand board feet imported in November was the country’s highest total so far in 2024.
- Vietnam: up over the year to 4.6 Mbf.
- Taiwan: up 15% with 4.3 Mbf.
- France: up to 2.3 Mbf
- United Kingdom: up 19% over 2023 with 1.9 Mbf.
Trending down:
- The Netherlands: down 51% on 2.8 Mbf year-to-date.
- Egypt: up to 2.6 Mbf for the year.
- Denmark:5 Mbf of exports YTD.
- French Pacific Islands: down 18% with 1.3 Mbf.
- Italy: down 7% with 1.3 Mbf.
- Peru: 3 Mbf of exports YTD.
- Australia: down 8% with 1 Mbf.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out Resources on the Member Portal site 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.