Exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) are running 20% ahead of 2023 through the first half of 2024, according to June data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System.
Southern Pine lumber exports were up 16% in the second quarter of 2024 over the prior quarter and up 22% over the same period in 2023. Exports were up 45.8% in June over the same month in 2023 but down 7.5% over May 2024, when exports reached a three-year high.
Softwood imports, meanwhile, were nearly flat in June over 2023 but down 2% over May.
Our international consultants weighed in with the following thoughts on the second quarter and June 2024 Southern Pine exports. Here are their key takeaways among countries reporting more than 1 Mbf of imports through the first half of 2024:
- Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 47% over the first half of 2023 with 82.5 Mbf of imports.
- The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, is running 29% ahead of the same period last year with 54.1 Mbf.
- India’s total of SYP imports continues to trend upward, running 3% ahead of 2023 at 19.6 Mbf. India’s imports are almost evenly split between dressed and rough Southern Pine lumber.
- Exports to China are down a sharp 58% YTD compared to 2023 with 7.3 Mbf of Southern Pine lumber imports.
- The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region have imported more than 1 Mbf through the first half of 2024, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above:
- Jamaica: the third-largest export market is down a slight 1% with 27.5 Mbf.
- The Leeward-Windward Islands: down 4% YTD with 15.7 Mbf.
- The Bahamas: down 3% with 10.5 Mbf
- Belize: up 39% YTD with 6 Mbf.
- Netherland Antilles: up 175% at 6.1 Mbf.
- Haiti: up 62% with 5.1 Mbf.
- Barbados: up 3% for the year at 5 Mbf.
- Trinidad and Tobago: down 2% with 5 Mbf.
- The Cayman Islands: up 54% over 2023 to 3.4 Mbf.
- Turks and Caicos: surpassed 1 Mbf of imports in June, up 22% over the first six months of 2023 with 1.8 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 44% over 2023 with 14.3 Mbf so far this year.
- Pakistan: continues to rise, up 332% over the year to 8 Mbf, mostly supported by 4.9 Mbf of treated lumber imports.
- Colombia: up 36% over the year with 3.6 Mbf.
- Taiwan: up 24% with 3.2 Mbf.
- Philippines: up 35% with 2.1 Mbf.
- Egypt: up to 1.7 Mbf for the year, 7% ahead of the same time a year ago.
- Vietnam, Panama, and France: all three countries jumped over the 1 Mbf mark in June, with 2.2 Mbf, 1.8 Mbf, and 1.5 Mbf, respectively.
Trending down:
- United Kingdom: just passed the 1 Mbf mark in June but is running 2% behind 2023.
- French Pacific Islands: also barely crossed the 1 Mbf mark in June but is down 35%.
- The Netherlands: down 35% on 2 Mbf year-to-date.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the members-only 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.