From

Softwood Export Council Newsletter

March 2008

In This Issue

Japan Show

Exports 2007

Emerging Markets

Upcoming Trade Shows

Quick Links

About SEC
SEC Members

Membership Benefits

Trade Show Calendar

Travel Requirements

Market Reports

Japan A+C Show

The SEC joined the APA-The Engineered Wood Association in the American Softwoods display booth at the annual Architecture and Construction Materials Show, earlier this month in Tokyo. This industry focused show attracts wholesalers, architects, builders and designers in Japan. There were 154,206 registered visitors during the 4 day run on the show. Unlike other trade shows, the focus here was the dissemination of information on the design, and use of US softwood products. There were a large number of requests for product standards and specifications and design literature was a popular item.

The booth featured U.S. softwood lumber for post and beam construction and engineered wood products including Glulams made with Douglas fir and Southern Pine, Plywood, and OSB. Photo panels featured recent heavy timber and Glulam construction in Japan. Designers were intrigued by the heavy timber use for modern designs and also had questions on JAS certification and on forest management systems in the USA.

American Softwoods staff was joined by the new AFPA Director and the USDA Forest Products specialist in Japan, as well as SEC and APA representatives.

2007 Softwood Exports (440710)

The US softwood export market saw a modest increase by value in 2007, after a strong start during the first half of 2007. USDA/FAS numbers show the total value of US softwoods exported in 2007 at US$ 559,495,000 up 3.5% from 2006. Year over year, the biggest value increase was in the United Kingdom with 175% gain and a US$ 19 million increase. The biggest precentage increases were in the UAE, 1026% and US$507 million and Pakistan, 1091% and $US 1,548 million in shipments. Korea is also returning to the market with 198% increase and US$2,932 million in imports. Vietnam shipments were up 305% to US$1.16 million. Other rising markets were Egypt, Lebanon and Chile

Country	Exports m3	Exports $
Mexico	446,707	$117,228,000
Japan	157,043	$56,036,000
Dominican Republic	140,397	$30,993,000
China	74,362	$30,812,000
Philippines	65,983	$30,345,000
U.K	89,771	$29,971,000
Spain	45,774	$19,790,000
Taiwan	29,962	$16,472,000
The Bahamas	118,262	$14,087,000
Korea, Republic of	10,537	$2,932,000

In 2007, Mexico imported total of $117 million American softwoods and became the biggest importer of American softwoods. The most imported species were Ponderosa Pine and Douglas fir which more than doubled and had the highest mbf price with $1,210. Builder's carpentry imports were total of $13 million in 2007. Wood blinds, door and window frames were the most imported by $23 million. Moreover, Joinery and cellular wood panel imports reached $5 million.

	Value			Quantity		$/m3		$/mbf
Mexico	2006	2007		2006	2007	2006	2007	2007
SOFT/TREATED	109,951	117,228	M3	404,328	446,707	$ 271.94	$ 262.43	$ 624.58
R,OTH PINE	10,511	10,618	M3	31,756	35,991	$ 330.99	$ 295.02	$ 702.14
D,OTH PINE	10,974	15,058	M3	44,190	54,743	$ 248.34	$ 275.07	$ 654.66
FNGR-JNTD	19,138	5,878	M3	66,140	18,827	$ 289.36	$ 312.21	$ 743.06
OTHER SPRU	11,196	2,818	M3	17,339	3,843	$ 645.71	$ 733.28	$ 1,745.21
D,PONDROSA	8,059	4,150	M3	26,522	12,571	$ 303.86	$ 330.12	$ 785.70
R,PONDROSA	6,578	9,866	M3	30,388	41,856	$ 216.47	$ 235.71	$ 561.00
TREATED	6,969	26,442	M3	35,654	113,803	$ 195.46	$ 232.35	$ 552.99
D,OTHER SPRU	3,486	1,654	M3	15,053	5,725	$ 231.58	$ 288.91	$ 687.60
D,D-FIR	4,253	3,703	M3	16,291	13,473	$ 261.06	$ 274.85	$ 654.13
R,D-FIR<5.1	2,899	7,793	M3	12,586	25,091	$ 230.34	$ 310.59	$ 739.20
S-P-F MIX	8,392	4,488	M3	39,023	26,836	$ 215.05	$ 167.24	$ 398.03
R,OTHER SW	415	318	M3	1,533	35,991	$ 270.71	$	$ 21.03
D,OTHER SW	2,225	9,220	M3	11,457	54,753	$ 194.20	$ 168.39	$ 400.77
D,FIR	2,959	1,623	M3	11,958	4,383	$ 247.45	$ 370.29	$ 881.30
HEM-FIR MIX	1,656	1,484	M3	7,552	7,552	$ 219.28	$ 196.50	$ 467.68
D,LP PINE	988	587	M3	3,429	1,732	$ 288.13	$ 338.91	$ 806.62
R,FIR	2,573	2,015	M3	6,763	4,676	$ 380.45	$ 430.92	$ 1,025.60
R,W/R PINE	2,720	856	M3	12,027	12,027	$ 226.16	$ 71.17	$ 169.39
R,D-FIR>12.7	270	821	M3	1,064	2,217	$ 253.76	$ 370.32	$ 881.36
D,W/R PINE	921	3221	M3	4,502	4,177	$ 204.58	$ 771.13	$ 1,835.28
D,SY PINE	451	1277	M3	2,084	7,244	$ 216.41	$ 176.28	$ 419.56
R,D-FIR<12.7	690	1590	M3	1,534	3,126	$ 449.80	$ 508.64	$ 1,210.56
Total species	109,951	117,228	M3	404,328	446,707	$ 271.94	$ 262.43	$ 624.58

Last year's second biggest importer was Japan which had imported total of $56 million of American softwoods. The 2007 imports were up by 33% from 2006. Douglas fir was the most imported specie of 2007 followed by Hem-Fir mix, Cedar and Spruce. The average mbf price of the D-Fir was $730. Japan's builder's carpentry imports reached over $26 million. The country imported $8 million value of window frames, $5 million door frames and almost $13 million value of joinery from United States.

	Value			Quantity		$/m3		$/mbf
Japan	2006	2007		2006	2007	2006	2007	2007
SOFTWOOD	41,930	56,036	M3	121,794	157,043	$ 344.27	$ 356.82	$849.23
D,D-FIR	13,148	17,077	M3	35,918	55,731	$ 366.06	$ 306.42	$729.28
D,SITKA SPRU	2,222	1,728	M3	5,913	4,257	$ 375.78	$ 405.92	$ 966.09
HEM-FIR MIX	6,759	4,478	M3	31,448	16,157	$ 214.93	$ 277.16	$659.63
R,SITKA SPRU	669	1070	M3	1,506	1,806	$ 444.22	$ 592.47	$1,410.08
D,REDWOOD	576	1058	M3	903	1,387	$ 637.87	$ 762.80	$1,815.46
R,D-FIR<5.1	4,547	4,185	M3	10,710	12,064	$ 424.56	$ 346.90	$ 825.62
R, SY PINE	1,041	49	M3	2,540	103	$ 409.84	$ 475.73	$ 1,132.23
R,D-FIR<12.7	280	13776	M3	706	35,400	$ 396.60	$ 389.15	$ 926.18
D,SY PINE	316	2146	M4	596	4,647	$ 530.20	$ 461.80	$ 1,099.09
R,D-FIR>12.7	7,591	2,263	M3	19,887	6,448	$ 381.71	$ 350.96	$ 835.29
R,FIR	176	573	M3	278	1,343	$ 633.09	$ 426.66	$ 1,015.44
D,R PONDROSA	210	312	M3	445	1,008	$ 471.91	$ 309.52	$736.67
R,REDWOOD	503	640	M3	1,021	639	$ 492.65	$ 1,001.56	$ 2,383.72
D,OTH CEDAR	297	244	M3	733	325	$ 405.18	$ 750.77	$ 1,786.83
TREATED	1,459	918	M3	4,436	2,592	$ 328.90	$ 354.17	$ 842.92
D,OTH PINE	246	1892	M3	828	4,805	$ 297.10	$ 393.76	$ 937.14
D,WR CEDAR	731	2197	M3	818	1,965	$ 893.64	$ 1,118.07	$ 2,661.00
	41,930	56,036	M3	121,794	157,043	$ 344.27	$ 356.82	$ 819.36

In 2007 China also played important role on shaping U.S. softwood imports. Total imports were over $30 million with an increase of 35% from 2006. The most in demand species were SY Pine, Cedar, and Hemlock. Last year China started to import Hemlock and it already reached over $4 million value with a mbf price of $996.The builders carpentry imports reduced in 2007 however China continued to import wood door frames, flush doors and wooden blinds. The door frame imports from U.S increased 43% and reached $1.2 million.


	Value			Quantity				$/mbf
CHINA	2006	2007		2006	2007	2006	2007	2007
SOFTWOOD	22,914	30,812	M3	60662	74362	$ 377.73	$ 414.35	$ 986.16
D,OTH CEDAR	661	2146	M3	1469	8352	$ 449.97	$ 256.94	$ 611.53
R,WR CEDAR	6,066	847	M3	13714	1006	$ 442.32	$ 841.95	$2,003.84
R,OTH CEDAR	4,537	3,306	M3	10867	4221	$ 417.50	$ 783.23	$1,864.08
D,OTH PINE	201	472	M3	506	1500	$ 397.23	$ 314.67	$ 748.91
D,SY PINE	4,487	7,622	M3	11311	15420	$ 396.69	$ 494.29	$1,176.42
R,PONDROSA	470	1464	M3	1261	7173	$ 372.72	$ 204.10	$ 485.75
R, SY PINE	668	1002	M3	2147	3714	$ 311.13	$ 269.79	$ 642.10
TREATED	248	875	M3	830	2265	$ 298.80	$ 386.31	$ 919.43
R,OTHER SW	37	3326	M3	132	5624	$ 280.30	$ 591.39	$1,407.52
D,PONDROSA	3,602	585	M3	13195	2165	$ 272.98	$ 270.21	$ 643.09
R,OTH PINE	424	883	M3	1610	2599	$ 263.35	$ 339.75	$ 808.60
R,D Hemlock	12	4015	M3	330	9589	$ 36.36	$ 418.71	$ 996.53
Total	22,914	30,812	M3	60662	74362	$ 377.73	$ 414.35	$ 986.16

EU imported total of $77 million American softwoods last year. The most demanded species were SYP and D- Fir.

	Value		(000)			$/m3		$/mbf
EU-25	2006	2007		2006	2007	2006	2007	2007
SOFTWOOD	75,944	77,223	M3	183484	199176	$ 413.90	$ 387.71	$ 922.76
D,FIR	1,716	616	M3	1601	779	$ 1,071.83	$ 790.76	$ 1,882.00
R,D-FIR<12.7	2,809	136	M3	3457	4431	$ 812.55	$ 30.69	$ 73.05
D,OTHER SW	411	152	M3	720	274	$ 570.83	$ 554.74	$ 1,320.29
R,HEMLOCK	3,857	794	M3	7684	1455	$ 501.95	$ 545.70	$ 1,298.78
FNGR-JNTD	3,804	185	M3	8315	443	$ 457.49	$ 417.61	$ 993.91
R, SY PINE	32,934	11,268	M3	75620	29278	$ 435.52	$ 384.86	$ 915.97
R,D-FIR<5.1	553	4422	M4	1406	11083	$ 393.31	$ 398.99	$ 949.59
D,SY PINE	10,145	25,081	M3	26672	53974	$ 380.36	$ 464.69	$ 1,105.95
D,OTH PINE	5,555	2,032	M3	14733	5196	$ 377.04	$ 391.07	$ 930.75
D,D-FIR	2,594	1,597	M3	7324	779	$ 354.18	$ 2,050.06	$ 4,879.15
R,OTH PINE	9,262	3,421	M4	29698	6923	$ 311.87	$ 494.15	$ 1,176.08
R,WR CEDAR	318	339	M3	1274	374	$ 249.61	$ 906.42	$ 2,157.27
S-P-F MIX	178	20,075	M3	982	66689	$ 181.26	$ 301.02	$ 716.44
Total	75,944	77,223	M3	183484	199176	$ 413.90	$ 387.71	$ 922.76

Emerging Markets

In 2007, American softwoods imports increased in many emerging markets. The biggest percentage increases were in the UAE, 1026% and US$507 million and Pakistan, 1091% and $US 1,548 million in shipments. Korea is also returning to the market with 198% increase and US$2,932 million in imports.

Vietnam shipments were up 305% to US$1.16 million. Other rising markets were Egypt, Lebanon and ChileVietnam increased its imports from U.S. over 300% last year and reached just over a $1 million. The most demanded species were Hemlock, SY Pine and Cedar.

		Value			Quantity		$/m3
		2006	2007	M3	2006	2007	2006	2007	2007 mbf
VIETNAM	SOFTWOOD	287	1,163	M3	671	2863	$427.72	$406.22	$966.80
	R,OTH CEDAR	75	19	M3	123	32	$609.76	$593.75	$1,413.13
	R, SY PINE	67	251	M3	46	469	$1,456.52	$535.18	$1,273.73
	D,OTH CEDAR	45	167	M3	90	294	$500.00	$568.03	$1,351.90
	D,OTHER SW	28	56	M3	66	163	$424.24	$343.56	$817.67
	D,W/R PINE	15	99	M3	43	551	$348.84	$179.67	$ 427.62
	D,HEMLOCK	0	455	M3	0	956	$ -	$475.94	$1,132.74
TOTAL		287	1,163	M3	671	2863	$427.72	$406.22	$966.80

UAE was another importer of American softwoods. In 2006, UAE only imported $45,000 softwoods from U.S while in 2007 the country increased its imports more than 1000% and imported $525,000 American softwoods. D-Fir and SPF Mix had the highest import rates.

		Value			Quantity		$/m3
		2006	2007	M3	2006	2007	2007	2007mbf
UAE	SOFTWOOD	45	525	M3	62	2003	$ 262.11	$ 623.81
	R,OTH PINE	45	67	M3	62	169	$ 396.45	$ 943.55
	TREATED	0	18	M3	0	8	$ 2,250.00	$5,355.00
	S-P-F MIX	0	94	M3	0	242	$ 388.43	$ 924.46
	R,D-FIR<5.1	0	339	M3	0	1436	$ 236.07	$ 561.85
	D,HEMLOCK	0	8	M3	0	48	$ 166.67	$ 396.67
TOTAL		45	525	M3	62	2003	$ 262.11	$ 623.81

Korea was also one of the increasing markets of 2007 for American softwoods. The Korean imports increased 200% last year and reaching almost $3 million value shipment. The Korean imports were less than $1 million in 2006.Hemlock, D-Fir and Cedar were the most imported species.

		Value			Quantity			$/m3
		2006	2007	m3	2005	2006	2007	2006	2007	2007 mbf
KOREA		975	2,932	m3	5057	3610	10557	$ 270.08	$ 277.73	$ 661.00
	HEM-FIR MIX	321	568	m3	3227	1687	2129	$ 190.28	$ 266.79	$ 634.96
	D,OTH CEDAR	129	30	m3	72	193	76	$ 668.39	$ 394.74	$ 939.47
	R, SY PINE	60	296	m3		137	763	$ 437.96	$ 387.94	$ 923.30
	OTHER SPRU	47	138	m3	0	304	459	$ 154.61	$ 300.65	$ 715.56
	R,WR CEDAR	46	118	m3	20	62	123	$ 741.94	$ 959.35	$2,283.25
	D,SY PINE	36	327	m3	0	137	325	$ 262.77	$1,006.15	$2,394.65
	D,D-FIR	21	490	m3	121	100	1771	$ 210.00	$ 276.68	$ 658.50
	R,HEMLOCK	0	180	m3	31	0	792	$ -	$ 227.27	$ 540.91
	D,HEMLOCK	0	551	m3	0	0	3495	$ -	$ 157.65	$ 375.22
TOTAL		975	2,932	m3	5057	3610	10557	$ 270.08	$ 277.73	$ 661.00

Egypt and Lebanon were growing markets for American softwoods. In 2007 Egypt imported $2.5 million, up by 133% from 2006. SY Pine was the most imported species. Lebanon was another increasing SY Pine market of 2007. The country also imported some D-Fir last year. The total imports reached over $2 million and increased 215% from 2006. Below tables show booth countries most imported species and their mbf prices.

		Value			Quantity		$/m4		mbf
		2006	2007	M3	2006	2007	2006	2007	2007
EGYPT	SOFTWOOD	1,080	2,520	m3	3448	9281	$ 313.23	$ 271.52	646.2235
	D,SY PINE	414	962	m3	716	3139	$ 578.21	$ 306.47	729.3915
	R,OTH PINE	304	86	m3	1388	332	$ 219.02	$ 259.04	616.506
	R, SY PINE	262	1348	m3	895	5470	$ 292.74	$ 246.44	586.5155
	D,OTHER SW	100	90	m3	449	213	$ 222.72	$ 422.54	1005.634
	D,D-FIR	0	33	m3	0	127	$ -	$ 259.84	618.4252
TOTAL		1,080	2,520	m3	3448	9281	$ 313.23	$ 271.52	646.2235

	Value				Quantity		$/m3
		2006	2007	M3	2006	2007	2007	2007mbf
LEBANON	SOFTWOOD	641	2,021	m3	1567	5058	$ 399.57	$ 950.96
	R, SY PINE	638	247	m3	1597	632	$ 390.82	$ 930.16
	D,SY PINE	0	1465	m3	0	3716	$ 394.24	$ 938.29
	D,OTH PINE	0	178	m3	0	319	$ 557.99	$1,328.03
	R,D-FIR<5.1	0	58	m3	0	177	$ 327.68	$ 779.89
	D,D-FIR	0	58	m3	0	171	$ 339.18	$ 807.25
TOTAL		641	2,021	m3	1567	5058	$ 399.57	$ 950.96

Upcoming Trade Shows and Seminars

March

Architecture and Construction Show, March 4-7 Tokyo, Japan
Saie Spring, March 12-15 Bologne, Italy
Interzum China March 27-30 Guangzhou, China (FULL)
Spring Seminar Series - Beijing, Shanghai

April

Japan Writers tour - PNW - USA

May

Veteco Windows Show, May 6-9 Madrid, Spain
USCB Spring Sales Mission, May 19-23, China, three cities
Carrefour du Bois Wood Industry Show May 28-30, Nantes, France (FILLING)

June

Tecno Meuble Furniture Suppliers Show, June 5-8, Guadalajara, Mexico
Designbuild Australasia, June 15-18 Melbourne Australia

Softwood Export Council- Promoting the expansion of export markets for primary and secondary softwood products manufactured in the United States.

Softwood Export Council Phone: 503-248-0406

520 SW 6th Ave, Suite 810 Fax: 503-248-0399

Portland OR 97204 www.softwood.org