21 percent increase in exports to the MENA region driven by significant demand for American hardwoods in the UAE, Turkey and Pakistan
Total exports of U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region reached USD 66.95 million during the first three quarters of 2012, according to a statement issued by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry. The 21 percent increase in exports over the same period last year has been driven by a significant increase in demand for American hardwoods in the UAE, Turkey and Pakistan. Shipments of American hardwood lumber reached a value of USD 48.87 million and a volume of 70,270 cubic meters, marking an increase of 24 percent and 20 percent respectively over the January to September period of 2011. In addition, direct shipments of U.S. hardwood veneers to the MENA region during the period reached a total value of USD 18.085 million, rising by 16 percent in comparison to the same period last year.
The statistics have been released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and show that the UAE, in value, was the number one destination for U.S. hardwood lumber during the first nine months of this year, with total shipments reaching a value of USD 9.80 million, rising by 34 percent in comparison to the same period in 2011. Turkey emerged as the second most significant destination during the first three quarters of this year, with the value of shipments reaching USD 7.13 million and marking a rise of 80 percent over the same period last year. In volume terms, Pakistan has emerged as the number one buyer in the region, taking 12,824 cubic meters of American hardwood lumber over the January to September period of 2012, while the value of shipments reached USD 6.64 million. These numbers mark increases of 141 percent and 201 percent respectively over the same period in 2011.
"The increases seen in the demand for American hardwood lumber and veneer in the MENA region can be attributed to economic development and increased construction sector activity in the main. The UAE real economy expanded by around 3.2 percent in 2011 on account of higher oil prices and production and is expected to increase by about 3.5 percent in 2012. In addition, real GDP growth in the GCC is projected at 4.6 percent this year. In the case of the Turkish economy, growth is expected to slow sharply to 3.5 percent this year as domestic demand weakens but the strong furniture and joinery sector has driven demand for American hardwoods in the country," said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania. "The collective turnaround across the region has resulted in record exports of American hardwoods to the region over the first three quarters of this year and we are positive of an even greater demand for U.S. hardwoods in the coming months and years."
A closer look at other markets across the region reveals strong demand for American hardwood lumber in Saudi Arabia (USD 6.21 million), Egypt (USD 3.47 million), Jordan (USD 3.38 million), Lebanon (USD 2.44 million) and Qatar (USD 1.6 million). In terms of value, the biggest increases in exports of U.S. hardwood lumber were seen in Oman (233 percent), Qatar (114 percent), Algeria (474 percent) and Jordan (48 percent). With respect to U.S. hardwood veneers, the biggest markets were Egypt (USD 7.37 million), Turkey (USD 4.91 million), Lebanon (USD 2.35 million) and the UAE (USD 1.6 million). Despite small declines in some markets within the region, the overall outlook for exports of American hardwoods remains positive given the increased activity in construction fueled by massive investments in infrastructure, hospitality, retail and real estate.
"Red oak, white oak, ash and walnut continue to dominate the exports of American hardwood lumber to the MENA region with most of the lumber going into high-end hospitality, real estate, private residences and public spaces. Significantly, the continued increase in exports of U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer imports into the MENA region is a reflection of the growing emergence of the region as an important wood processing centre. Recent reports indicate that there are close to 389 wood processing factories in the GCC (furniture and joinery), and 208 of these are located in the UAE. In addition, of the 21,746 workers employed in wood processing in the GCC, 12,350 work in the UAE, all of which augurs well for the continued growth and usage of American hardwoods in the long run," concluded Wiles.
About AHEC:
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is the leading international trade association for the U.S. hardwood industry, representing the committed exporters among U.S. hardwood companies and all the major U.S. hardwood production trade associations. AHEC runs a worldwide programme to promote American hardwoods in over 50 export markets, concentrating on providing architects, specifiers, designers and end-users with technical information on the range of species, products and sources of supply. In addition, AHEC also produces a full range of technical publications. For more information, please visit: www.americanhardwood.org.
© Press Release 2012
