Swiss exports of MDF laminate flooring to the US in 2004 grew by a massive 173% on the previous year according to industry newsletter Random Lengths International.
The country, which began shipping to the US in 2002, now ranks as America’s largest supplier of MDF laminate flooring. Close behind is China whose shipments to the US last year were more than four times its 2003 total. Germany saw shipments triple in 2004.
Overall, the US imported record volumes of finished softwood flooring in 2004, more than doubling the previous year’s figure. Imports rose to 21.7 million ft2, up from 8.8 million ft2 in 2003.
China supplied more than half of the total US imports of softwood flooring and also increased its shipments of various finished wood products, mainly furniture.
Imports from Brazil, the second largest softwood flooring supplier to the US, were up 43% on 2003 while exports from Chile more than tripled, to 1.4 million sq ft.
Other countries to see rises in exports to the US were Peru, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Romania and the Ukraine. South Africa saw its first exports to the US while imports from Spain – the largest European supplier – saw a drop.
