July 2023 Southern Pine exports (treated and untreated) were up 24% over June but down 6% over the same month in 2022. Total softwood imports, meanwhile, were down 4.4% over the month and down 11.8% over the year.
Exports year to date through July are running 6% ahead of the same period in 2022.
“The data continues to indicate stronger demand for Southern Pine lumber, especially in markets within proximity to the producing region,” said SFPA Executive Director Eric Gee. “Continuing our presence in these well-established markets by providing seminars with consistent messaging and exhibiting at trade events that increase our networking reach is important for maintaining and discovering new export opportunities for Southern Pine lumber.”
JULY 2023 SOUTHERN PINE EXPORTS NOTES OF INTEREST
Our international consultants weighed in with the following thoughts on the July 2023 Southern Pine exports. Here are their key takeaways:
- Exports to China followed a cooling trend that started in June after a strong start to 2023. Southern Pine and treated lumber exports, however, are still up considerably compared to the same period in 2022, with dressed SYP running 269% ahead of 2022 totals.
- Mexico retained its status as the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber for the fifth month after taking over the Dominican Republic. Mexico is running 15% ahead of 2022 YTD as of July and has imported 8 MMBF in Southern Pine so far this year compared to the Dominican Republic’s 52.8 MMBF.
- India’s total of SYP imports continues to outpace 2022’s YTD exports through July.
- With the exception of Belize, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico, (see below for country totals), exports to the Caribbean and Central American region continued to trend downward through July compared to same period in 2022.
Trending up of note
- Belize: Up 101% from 2.7 MMBF to 5.5 MMBF. Belize has consistently imported more than 700 thousand board feet (MBF) every month so far this year.
- Micronesia: Up 86% from 3 MMBF to 2.4 MMBF.
- Taiwan: Up 71% from 7 MMBF to 2.9 MMBF.
- Dominican Republic: Up 50% YTD from 35.1 MMBF to 52.8 MMBF.
- Jamaica: While cooling a little over the month, the Caribbean island is up 33%, from 9 MMBF to 30.4 MMBF over the year.
- Kuwait: The Middle Eastern nation joined the MMBF club in July with 1.8 MMBF of treated lumber imports in July, its first time reporting imports this year. That makes an increase over the 95 MBF imported from January-July 2022.
TRENDING DOWN OF NOTE
- Philippines: Down 82% YTD, from 1 MMBF to 1.9 MMBF so far in 2023.
- Pakistan: Down 70% from 8.6 MMBF to 2.6 MMBF.
- Canada: Down 46% from 21.5 MMBF to 11.6 MMBF.
- Haiti: Down 46% from 21.5 MMBF to 11.6 MMBF.
- Netherlands: Down 37% from 3 MMBF to 4 MMBF in 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 (MMBF) unless otherwise indicated.