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16 ¨C 31th October 2015

Report from North America

 Virola sawnwood imports up in June
Total US sawn hardwood imports fell 56% from May to June, but tropical sawnwood imports declined by only 3%. The steep decline in temperate sawnwood imports was in imports (of unspecified species) from Bolivia.

Canada is the US¡¯ largest hardwood supplier, and its shipments grew in June. 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, a 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 Brazi 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. Virola imports more than doubled in June to 1,067 cu.m.


Higher Canadian imports from Brazil in June
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, but it remained the most significant species (by value) imported into Canada.


US 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 Europe, Mexico and Thailand.


American hardwoods promotion continues in Middle East
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 was 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-to-date 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.


Large-scale transformation of temperate forests likely
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 megadisturbance).


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 shrubland 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.


Abbreviations

LM       Loyale Merchant, a grade of log parcel  Cu.m         Cubic Metre
QS        Qualite Superieure    Koku         0.278 Cu.m or 120BF
CI          Choix Industriel                                                       FFR           French Franc
CE         Choix Economique                                                        SQ              Sawmill Quality
CS         Choix Supplimentaire      SSQ            Select Sawmill Quality
FOB      Free-on-Board     FAS            Sawnwood Grade First and
KD        Kiln Dry                               Second 
AD        Air Dry        WBP           Water and Boil Proof
Boule    A Log Sawn Through and Through MR              Moisture Resistant
              the boards from one log are bundled                      pc         per piece      
              together                      ea                each      
BB/CC  Grade B faced and Grade C backed MBF           1000 Board Feet          
              Plywood   MDF           Medium Density Fibreboard
BF        Board Foot F.CFA         CFA Franc        
Sq.Ft     Square Foot              Price has moved up or down
Source:ITTO'  Tropical Timber Market Report

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