America’s southern pine lumber sector is seeing unprecedented levels of overseas demand.
Produced in a dozen southeastern states, total lumber output volume of the species reached just over 17 billion board feet during 2016. Meanwhile, exports have nearly doubled in the past five years, reaching a record in 2016 of over 685 million board feet (MMbf), valued at US$413m.
During 2016, the top three destinations for Southern Pine exports remained unchanged, as demand from each increased significantly: China (188.9 MMbf), up 46%; the Dominican Republic (102.7 MMbf), up 18%; and Mexico (92.1 MMbf), up 25%.
“Europe and the Caribbean Basin region remain important and steady markets, but we’re also now seeing strong growth in China and promising new emerging markets in Southeast Asia and South America,” said Jerry Hingle, international programme consultant for the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA).
“While total US softwood lumber exports were flat in 2016, Southern Pine lumber exports actually increased by 11%. Our efforts to introduce it to buyers in new markets is paying off, and we’re confident that this growth will continue.”
Southern Pine products, he added, feature the highest density of all common softwoods, providing very good fastener-holding ability, while its load-bearing capacity matches other American softwoods. Other advantages of using Southern Pine lumber are its long spans for framing joists, as well as providing clear, fine-grained material for joinery applications, such as panelling, door frames, windows, flooring and furniture.
Treated Southern yellow pine (SYP) is also marketed on its resistance to decay and termite attack, and overall durability in the harshest of climates. Its cellular structure permits deep and uniform penetration of preservatives, rendering the wood useless as a food source for fungi, termites and microorganisms. Common outdoor applications for treated timber include decks, boardwalks, docks and piers.
Total American softwood exports to the EU were £19.4m in 2016, compared with £23.9m in 2015. And while the strength of the US dollar against the Euro and pound is continuing to impact sales, exports to Spain have rebounded encouragingly and sales of treated wood for decking reached £2.4m. US softwood exports to the UK last year were worth £4.24m and it was the top European market for SYP decking, which holds 15% market share. This year will also see a promotional push on the benefits of the species for external cladding.
Overall American softwoods are grown primarily in the western, southeastern and northeastern states of the US. Promoted for their strength, flexibility and aesthetics, they have been exported for more than 200 years. Moreover the success of sustainable forest management strategies means forested land area is now greater than it was 75 years ago. Today, America’s forests occupy an area equal in size to Germany and France combined, and more than 4.5 million trees are planted or seeded naturally every day.
In addition to its performance, sustainability and range of types for different applications, US softwood’s popularity is also based on the standardisation of sizes and stress ratings and quality control achieved through a unified grading system.
