US tropical sawn imports down for 3 months in a row

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U.S. imports of sawn hardwood (temperate and tropical) declined in April for the third consecutive month to 66,749 cu.m. The volume of tropical sawn hardwood imports was unchanged from the previous month at 17,484 cu.m., while the value of imports grew by 2%.

Year-to-date, tropical hardwood imports were down 12% compared to 2017. The overall decline in tropical sawnwood year-to-date is mainly due to lower balsa and sapelli imports. Changes in year-to-date imports varied greatly by species. Jatoba imports were up significantly from 2017 along with keruing, while sapelli, acajou and virola declined.

In April, balsa imports increased but imports of most other tropical hardwood species declined month-on-month. Only cedro and acajou sawnwood imports increased from March, while meranti was unchanged.

In a recent survey by the Import/Export Wood Purchasing News (June/July 2018) most imported wood suppliers agreed that U.S. demand was strong, especially for African species.

The rising euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate has increased prices for US buyers. Several respondents reported higher domestic transportation (trucking) costs and delays at export ports in Africa.

For US hardwoods,the consulting firm Forecon reports consistent and good demand from US manufacturers. US hardwood prices have increased in 2018, but this is in part due to strong demand in exports markets (Asia and Canada).

Canada imports more tropical sawnwood from Brazil

Canadian tropical sawnwood imports increased 10% in April, while year-on-year imports were a quarter lower than at the same time last year.

The month-on-month increase was largely in imports of mahogany. Sawnwood imports from Brazil increased in April, making Brazil Canada’s third-largest source of imports after the US and Cameroon.

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