Exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) were up 11.2% in October over September and 2.9% higher than the same month in 2022, according to October data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services Global Agricultural Trade System.
Year-to-date exports of Southern Pine and treated lumber through October 2023 continue to run 4% ahead of the same period in 2022.
Total softwood imports, meanwhile, were up 6.2% over the month but down 3.9% over the year.
OCTOBER 2023 SOUTHERN PINE EXPORTS NOTES OF INTEREST
Our international consultants weighed in with the following thoughts on the October 2023 Southern Pine exports. Here are their key takeaways:
- Mexico retained its status as the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber for the eighth month. Mexico is now running 21% ahead of 2022 YTD and has imported 105 Mbf of Southern Pine so far this year.
- The Dominican Republic remains the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, running 13% ahead YTD over 2022 with 67.7 Mbf.
- Exports to China continue to follow a cooling trend that started in June, though exports of Southern Pine and treated lumber are still up in 2023, running 136% ahead of last year.
- India’s total of SYP imports continues to outpace 2022’s YTD exports through October, up 317% at 25.4 Mbf.
- With the exception of Belize, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, and Mexico, (see below for country totals), exports to the Caribbean and Central American region continued to trend downward through October compared to same period in 2022.
TRENDING UP:
- Jamaica: The Caribbean island continues to run 41% ahead of 2022 with 48.9 Mbf so far this year.
- Belize: Continuing to cool as 2023 ends but still up 66% over the year with 7.7 Mbf.
- Honduras: Up a sharp 599% to 4.3 Mbf.
- Taiwan: While still up 11% over the year through October, exports to the Asian island have dropped since August, when they were running 57% ahead of 2022.
TRENDING DOWN:
- Philippines: Down 71% YTD, from 12.9 Mbf to 3.8 Mbf so far in 2023.
- Pakistan: Running 46% behind 2022 YTD with 5.5 Mbf. of Southern Pine imports.
- Egypt: Down 48% over the year with 2.24 Mbf compared to 4.3 Mbf in 2022.
- Canada: Down 44% to 17.9 Mbf through October 2023.
- Netherlands: Down 40% from 9.3 Mbf to 5.6 Mbf in 2023.
- Colombia: Lagging 9% behind 2022, from 6.2 Mbf to 5.7 Mbf through October 2023.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the members-only site to get a full breakdown on 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.?