The US has recorded a 39% growth in softwood lumber shipments to Spain during the first three quarters of 2005, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths.

The robust Spanish housing market is credited with fuelling demand for American softwood, especially southern yellow pine which is used for decking, marinas, doors and mouldings.

US exports to Spain rose to 20.9 million board feet, representing 44% of total US softwood lumber shipments to the EU during the period.

Spanish shipments had declined from 76.3 million board feet in 1999 to 21.4 million board feet in 2003, before registering a slight growth last year.

Spain’s introduction of first-time buyer tax credits and strict residential land use restrictions are credited with growing demand for new homes during the past two years.

The country is now America’s fourth largest offshore market for softwood lumber, after the Caribbean, Japan and China.