Foreign Markets

With U.S markets for softwood lumber sluggish, many producers have come to depend on overseas markets for their products. Since 1998 the Softwood Export Council has been helping these companies, through their respective trade associations, to expand opportunities in dozens of overseas countries. Thanks in part to these efforts, 2010 softwood lumber exports from the U.S. totaled some 1.3 billion board feet, with a total value exceeding $843.5 million.

For many mills, even those who did not export any of their production, this expanded market for softwood lumber products during an economjc downturn meant the difference between surviving and shutting down.

The links below provide an overview of the major international markets for U.S. softwoods. (links to be listed by country name or region) Other links point to general data regarding export markets. For detailed information about U.S softwoods exports, visit the GATS website.