Establish relationships with leading lumber importers in India was the goal for 11 American Softwoods (AMSO) representatives, five of whom were members of the Southern Forest Products Association, at the 2025 IndiaWood trade show from March 6-9.
And there’s room to grow the Southern Pine and American softwoods market in India.
2025 IndiaWood Experience
This was the ninth time AMSO, which is comprised of representatives from the Southern Forest Products Association, Softwood Export Council, and APA- The Engineered Wood Association, has exhibited at the show, which garnered 135 inquiries for American softwoods and Southern Pine.
Those representatives used the three-day event to improve the level of knowledge about U.S. softwood species, grades, and sizes among visitors using videos demonstrating applications of American Softwoods and extensive print and digital species guides.
As India’s construction sector grows, demand for timber has increased. This is evident with the growth of trade shows dedicated to the wood industry.
India Wood 2025, the leading trade show, traditionally alternated between Bangaluru and New Delhi every year. In 2025, the organizers changed the show’s name from Delhi Wood to India Wood (Delhi Edition), with additional shows being held in Mumbai, and Kolkata. Matecia, a show dedicated to building materials, has launched a second show in Bangaluru in 2025 to complement the annual New Delhi event.
Southern Pine, American Softwoods in India
However, the development of the Indian market for American softwood species is still a work in progress. The market is very price-driven, and there’s still work to be done to educate buyers and specifiers about the quality of American softwoods.
To that end, the American Softwoods team joined the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in India for the largest trade mission in USDA history in April 2024. As part of this visit, the team visited a series of trade partners in Delhi to understand more about market challenges and opportunities and to see firsthand how the timber markets work in the Indian capital city.
American-sawn softwoods posted a five-year export value high in 2024. Sales to India were $26.7 million in 2024, up 1.5% from $26.4 million in 2023. Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) exports to India, meanwhile, were nearly flat in 2024 over 2023 at $17 million on 36.6 MMBF. Exports were down 42% to 5.1 MMBF through the first quarter of 2025.
Economic Conditions in India
India became the world’s most populous nation in 2024 with a GDP of approximately $3.5-3.7 trillion. The country continues to experience robust economic growth, with annual GDP growth rates ranging between 6-7%, making it one of the fastest-growing major economies.
Despite its growth, India grapples with several economic challenges, including income inequality, infrastructure deficits, and uneven development across its states. The agricultural sector, in particular, faces persistent hurdles such as climate-related risks, restrictive land laws, bureaucratic delays in approvals and licensing, limited capital investment, and insufficient access to global technology. The sector remains largely family-run and fragmented, hindering large-scale modernization.
However, India’s construction sector has been experiencing significant growth. The industry was growing around 7-8% annually before COVID-19; post-pandemic, the construction industry was one of the fastest-growing sectors in India’s economy. Key growth drivers include:
- Government infrastructure initiatives (like PM GatiShakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline)
- Expansion of affordable housing programs
- Increased urbanization (with estimates suggesting 40% of India’s population would live in urban areas by 2030)
- Foreign investment in construction and real estate
- Growth in commercial construction for offices, retail, and warehousing
India’s wood consumption spans multiple sectors and regularly surpasses domestic production capacity. Softwood demand is on the rise, with U.S. exports to India largely made up of pine and some Douglas fir species.
Key factors influencing demand for U.S. softwood exports to India include the availability of products from other major exporters, such as Canada, New Zealand, and European countries, as well as rising shipping costs that affect final pricing for end users.
India also boasts an array of industries focused on semi-processed and value-added timber products, such as wooden handicrafts, pulp and paper, plywood, veneer, and wooden furniture.
SFPA members: Don’t forget to check out the contacts secured during the show and their corresponding contact information in the SFPA member portal.