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Report
from
North America
US tropical timber imports
Sawn hardwood imports rose in November
November 2010 imports of sawn tropical hardwood were
21,765 cu.m., up by 21% from 17,941 cu.m in August.
Sapelli was the top species imported in November (4,667
cu.m) followed by balsa (3,641 cu.m) and ipe (3,071
cu.m). Imports of most species increased from October
with the exception of virola, balsa, acajou d¡¯Afrique,
padauk, aningre and iroko. Ipe imports from Brazil soared
to 2,876 cu.m in November.
While the main exporting countries (Ecuador, Brazil, Peru,
Ghana, Cameroon and Malaysia) shipped less sawn
hardwood to the US in November, other countries more
than made up for it by sharply increasing exports, among
them Europe (Germany, Italy) and the Congo Brazzaville.
Year-to-date, import volumes of tropical sawnwood
increased by 17% compared with 2009. Among the
species that gained significantly in the period to November
2010 are acajou d¡¯Afrique (+64%), red meranti (+56%),
sapelli (+52%) and keruing (+48%).
The average unit value of imported tropical sawn
hardwoods (in US$ per cu.m) has not changed
dramatically over the past two to three years, but when
looking at unit values by species a few trends emerge. The
unit value of ipe sawnwood has been more volatile than of
any other major imported species. Throughout 2010 it
went up considerably, while it remained stable of declined
for most other species. Imports from Africa such as sapelli
and acajou d¡¯Afrique showed a declining trend in 2009
and 2010. Monthly unit values of the major imported
species up to November 2010 are shown below.
Hardwood plywood imports set to exceed 2009 volumes
US imports of hardwood plywood are set to exceed 2009
volumes by about 30%, based on year-to-date November
imports of US$1.1 billion. Shipments from Malaysia and
Indonesia saw the highest growth rates, while China
accounts for 56% or US$634 million of total imports yearto-
date. In November 2010, imports from China were
US$49.1 million (+27% year-to-date) and from Indonesia
US$12.8 million (+79% year-to-date). November imports
from Malaysia were US$2.48 million (+134% year-todate),
from Ecuador US$1.92 million (+45% year-to-date),
and from Brazil US$1.88 million (-3% year-to-date).
Hardwood moulding imports surge
Imports of hardwood moulding imports increased to
US$18.4 million in November, an impressive +24% from
October. Year-to-date imports increased by +8% to
US$173.4 million compared to 2009. Brazil was the
largest supplier in November 2010 at US$6.6 million
(+2% year-to-date). Imports from China were US$5.6
million (+23% year-to-date). Malaysia supplied US$1.4
million (+24% year-to-date) and Indonesia US$704,000
(+30% year-to-date).
November imports from Brazil of jatoba moulding were
US$2.3 million (-13% year-to-date), of cumaru moulding
US$557,000 (+1% year-to-date), and of ipe moulding
US$778,000 (+2% year-to-date). Supplies of cumaru
mouldings from Peru went up in November to
US$389,000 (+259% year-to-date). Mahogany moulding
imports from Peru were US$154,000 in November (-21%
year-to-date). Jatoba continues to account for the bulk of
tropical hardwood moulding imports, although the value
of imports year-to-date is down by -7% compared to 2009.
Cumaru moulding imports are up by +41%, while ipe and
mahogany moulding imports are down compared to the
same period last year.
Hardwood flooring imports far below 2009 levels
Hardwood flooring imports recovered from yet another
drop in October 2010. In the year to November, US
hardwood flooring imports totaled US$15.5 million, -32%
compared to the same period in 2009. However, most
tropical suppliers were able to increase flooring exports
during the same time frame. In November, shipments from
all major suppliers increased with the exception of
Canada. Hardwood flooring imports from China were
US$528,000, from Brazil US$452,000 and from Malaysia
US$454,000. On a year-to-date basis, imports from Brazil
increased by +8% from 2009, Malaysian exports increased
by 28%, Indonesian exports increased by +17%, while
Chinese exports to the US are down by -63%.
Canadian bill for wood use in public buildings fails vote
The bill (C-429) was introduced to amend the Public
Works Act in Canada so that wood becomes the preferred
material in the construction or repair of federal public
buildings. The bill was brought in by a Member of
Parliament from Quebec where the forest industry has
suffered greatly from the US housing market crash and the
strong Canadian dollar. Similar government initiatives
exist in Quebec, British Columbia and other countries,
such as Japan and Sweden. However, the proposed
changes faced opposition from the construction industry
and in the end, the bill was defeated in parliament in
December 2010.
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