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Report from
North America
Virola sawnwood imports rise
Total US sawn hardwood imports fell 56% from May to
June, but tropical sawnwood imports declined by only 3%.
Canada is the US‟ largest sawn hardwood supplier and its
shipments grew in June. On the other hand, imports from
Brazil and Germany, the second and third-largest
suppliers, fell 56% and 40%, respectively.
The US imported 21,823 cu.m. of tropical sawnwood in
June, an 18% increase in year-to-date imports from the
same time last year. Balsa imports from Ecuador grew in
June, but year-to-date imports of balsa remain below 2014
levels.
Imports from Brazil were almost unchanged from the
previous month. Ipe sawnwood imports from Brazil were
slightly down from May, but virola imports increased.
Year-to-date imports from Brazil were up one third from
June 2014.
Sapelli and acajou d‟Afrique imports from Cameroon fell
in June. However, year-to-date total sawnwood imports
from Cameroon were twice as high as in June last year.
Malaysia showed a similar month over month decline due
to lower keruing shipments, but year-to-date imports from
Malaysia remain 25% higher than in June 2014.
By species; balsa (3,971 cu.m.) and sapelli (3,825 cu.m.)
were the main imports in June followed by ipe sawnwood
(2,801 cu.m.). Mahogany sawnwood imports were
unchanged from May at 1,966 cu.m but virola imports
more than doubled in June to 1,067 cu.m.
Higher Canadian imports from Brazil
The value of Canadian imports of tropical sawnwood
increased by one third month-over-month to US$2.04
million in June. Year-to-date imports remain below 2014
levels (-30%).
The import growth in June was mainly in sapelli, red
meranti and other, unspecified species. Balsa sawnwood
imports declined from May remained the most significant
species (by value) imported into Canada.
Sawn hardwood imports from Brazil increased in June to
US$386,425. Imports from Congo (formerly Brazzaville)
were US$291,815, up 53% year-to-date from June 2014.
Indonesia supplied US$192,868 worth of sawnwood to
Canada in June. Year-to-date imports from Indonesia were
almost unchanged from June last year.
Tropical sawnwood imports from smaller supplier
increased in June. Much of the increase was in imports
from Mexico and Thailand.
American hardwood exports to Middle East up 42% -
further promotion planned
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and the
National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) will
host seminars in Amman and Dubai in September.
The seminars target wood importers, manufacturers and
end users and aim to promote the understanding of
American hardwood properties, grades and potential
applications.
The seminars are free, and the Jordanian Furniture
Exporters Association has partnered with AHEC for the
seminar in Amman.
Demand for US hardwoods in the Middle East has
continued to grow in recent years. US exports of sawn
hardwood to its four largest markets in the region ¨C United
Arab Emirate, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar ¨C were
35,084 cu.m. in 2014, up 22% from 2013.
Year-to-date exports in 2015 to the four countries were
42% higher than last year. By comparison, total year-todate
US exports of sawn hardwood declined 10% from
2014 to 2015, making the Middle East one of the fastest
growing markets for US hardwood exporters.
Much of the Middle East‟s growing demand for
hardwoods is for interiors of new buildings and in
furniture manufacturing. Renovation of existing buildings
is a growing market for American hardwood products.
Transformation of temperate forests due to climate
change
Many areas of temperate forest will likely change
substantially due to climate change and a combination of
disturbances and stress factors. This is the conclusion of a
study by the US Forest Service and US Geological Survey
published in the scientific journal Science (Temperate
forest health in an era of emerging mega disturbance).
Wildfires, severe droughts and warmer temperatures in
particular increase tree stress and forest mortality. Some
temperate forests in the US could convert to grassland or
shrub land within the next decades.
The potential for timber production will be reduced or lost,
while important ecosystem services such as watershed
protection and carbon storage will be compromised. The
study recommends further research to identify vulnerable
forests in the US and assist forest managers in
transitioning to new ecosystem states.
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