Q1 2025 exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) were 12% behind the same quarter in 2024 at 122 MMBF, but up 2% over the fourth quarter of 2024, according to March 2025 data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System.
On a monthly basis, Southern Pine lumber exports were down 20% in March over March 2024 but up 4.6% over February 2025.
When looking at the report by dollar value, Southern Pine exports are down 7% to $50 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, but down 17% over the fourth quarter of 2024. Mexico led the way at $13.2 million, followed by the Dominican Republic at $10.4 million, and Canada at $4.3 million. The total global value in March hit a six-month high of $18 million.
Treated lumber exports, meanwhile, were down 19% compared to the first quarter of 2024 at $28 million and down 6% over the fourth quarter of 2024. The Leeward-Windward Islands led the way at $4.5 million, followed by Jamaica at $3.8 million, and The Bahamas at $3.1 million.
Softwood lumber imports were down 5% in the first quarter to 3.4 MMBF but up 3% over the previous quarter.
Q1 2025 Southern Pine Lumber Export Markets
Our international consultants weighed in with the following key takeaways on Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) export numbers among countries reporting more than 1 MMBF of imports through the first three months of 2025:
- Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, but is down 6% over the first quarter of 2024 with 32.1 MMBF.
- The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, continued its slow start to 2025, down 28% with 19.7 MMBF.
- Canada, which is now the No. 4 importer of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated), was up 7% to start the year with 7.8 MMBF.
- India also continued its sluggish start to 2025, down 36% YTD with 3.6 MMBF.
- The Philippines posted another surge, moving to a 224% increase over 2024, with 2.7 MMBF for the first three months of 2025.
- Pakistan, meanwhile, reported a 19% year-over-year drop with 3.2 MMBF so far in 2025.
- Exports to China, now the 12th largest importer, are down 38% YTD at 2.5 MMBF.
- The following countries in the Caribbean and Central American region, outside of Mexico and the Dominican Republic mentioned above, imported more than 1 MMBF through the first quarter of 2025:
- Jamaica: the third-largest export market was down 18% through the first three months of 2025 with 10.2 MMBF.
- The Leeward-Windward Islands: down 12% YTD with 7 MMBF.
- The Bahamas: up 22% with 6.2 MMBF.
- Netherland Antilles: up 14% at 3.2 MMBF.
- Barbados: down 2% to 2.6 MMBF.
- Belize: up 48% year-over-year with 2.4 MMBF.
- Haiti: up 79% with 2.3 MMBF.
- Cayman Islands: down 12% at 1.5 MMBF.
- Trinidad and Tobago: down 45% with 1.5 MMBF.
- Other countries of note:
- Vietnam: up 284% on 1.7 MMBF.
- Colombia: down 35% with 1.3 MMBF.
- France: up 62% with 1.1 MMBF.
Members, chec out the member portal for a full breakdown of each country for the first quarter and for March 2025 monthly figures.
*Note: data are expressed in million board feet (MMBF) unless otherwise indicated.