Export values in the first nine months reached $10.45m, exceeding last year’s total, with furniture, interiors and rising incomes driving growth.
Exports of American hardwood logs, lumber and veneer to India reached a total value of $10.45m in the first nine months of 2025, putting the year on course for another record, according to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC).
Data compiled from figures released by the US Department of Agriculture show that hardwood lumber accounted for the largest share, valued at $8.5m, while veneer exports totalled $694,000. Imports of US hardwood logs into India were valued at $1.26m over the same period.
Strong growth in lumber shipments
Hardwood lumber shipments from the US to India increased by 57% in value and 69% in volume, reaching $8.5m, up from $5.41m a year earlier, and 13,529 cubic m, compared with 8,013 cubic m.
The six leading US hardwood species exported to India during the first nine months of the year were white oak, valued at $2.46m (3,537 cubic m), red oak at $2.46m (4,256 cubic m), hickory at $1.52m (1,941 cubic m), ash at $582,000 (1,083 cubic m), tulipwood at $430,000 (950 cubic m) and walnut at $430,000 (454 cubic m). By volume, red oak led shipments, followed by white oak, hickory, ash, tulipwood and walnut.
AHEC said the largest increases were seen in tulipwood, maple and western red alder, reflecting changing preferences among Indian manufacturers and designers.
Roderick Wiles, AHEC regional director, said export values for the first three quarters had already surpassed the total for the whole of last year.
“This signals a robust market shift towards American hardwoods in India’s growing furniture and design sectors,” he said.
Domestic market drives demand
Despite uncertainty around US trade tariffs and the potential impact of the EU Deforestation Regulation on Indian exporters, AHEC said the strongest growth is coming from India’s domestic market.
Indian buyers are increasingly favouring value-added, kiln-dried lumber over raw logs, a trend that has accelerated since the pandemic. Rising disposable incomes, an expanding middle class and growth in the hospitality and corporate sectors are also supporting demand for higher-quality furniture and interior products.
American red and white oak are becoming widely used for applications such as furniture, flooring and joinery, driven by their appearance and versatility.
Wiles said the Indian wood furniture market is expected to reach $18.6bn in 2025, creating further opportunities for US suppliers.
“Now is the time for US hardwoods to really enter this market in greater volumes,” he said. “Looking ahead, we anticipate even more growth for American hardwoods in India as specifiers and private consumers turn to the grain patterns of oak and ash, the richness of walnut and the clarity of maple whilst the fashion for teak and other dark red tropical hardwoods declines.”
