The total exports of US hardwood lumber and veneer to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region surged by 11% in 2022 to hit US$107m, said a report by American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) released ahead of Dubai WoodShow.
According to AHEC, the MENA region remains a very important export market for American red oak lumber, which is the dominant species in the US hardwood forest and the most commercially-available.
In 2022, shipments of red oak lumber to the region reached 46,248m3, accounting for 45% of the total volume exported, stated the report.
Citing US Department of Agriculture data, Roderick Wiles, regional director at AHEC said that shipments of American hardwood lumber to the MENA region reached a value of $81.98m and a volume of 103,246m3 last year, marking an increase of 9% and 13% respectively over 2021.
Significant increases were seen in exports to the UAE, with an increase in 13% in volume to 14,388m3, Turkey with 49% in volume to 24,165m3, Morocco with 16% to 8,315m3, and Pakistan with 6% to 15,582m3, Wiles stated.
Dubai WoodShow 2023
To be held from 7-9 Mar at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the event will see AHEC host a American Hardwood Pavilion with individual booths occupied by 14 US hardwood exporting companies as well as the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.
AHEC has participated in the Dubai WoodShow since its first edition, hosting American Hardwood Pavilions and bringing US hardwood exporting companies to the show.
“We are looking forward to this year’s show and bringing back a large contingent of US hardwood exporters. The American hardwood industry is committed to supplying the MENA region for the long term and supporting regional growth in wood processing and consumption,” remarked Wiles.
The direct exports of American hardwood veneers to the region grew by 20% over 2021 to reach a value of $25.2m, with the majority shipped to the UAE, Turkey and Israel, he added.
Source: AHEC and Global Wood Trade Network
