The total exports of US hardwood lumber to the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region hit $66.25 million during the first three quarters of 2015, up 18 per cent over the same period last year, said a report.

The volume of the exported US hardwood lumber touched 81,402 cu m, according to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry.

The statistics, which have been compiled from the latest data released from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), reveal an increase in volume of 13 percent for the same time period the year before.

In addition, direct exports of US hardwood veneers to the Mena reached a total value of $21.96 million during the January to September period of this year, falling by three per cent in comparison to the same period in 2014, stated AHEC which will be taking part at ‘Furnex Egypt’ and the ‘Timber in Construction Expo’ (YAF) in February 2016.

Through this move, the council aims to raise the profile of American hardwoods in Egypt and Turkey, which are seen as key markets in the Mena region,

AHEC’s participation will help strategically reinforce the position of US hardwoods as a favored material, mainly for interior joinery, flooring and furniture, and more importantly as key projects near their completion dates, said a senior official.

"All signs point to a record year for exports of American hardwood lumber and veneer to the MENA region. Assuming a vibrant last quarter, exports to the Mena region are on track to reach a record high this year and to break the 100,000 cubic meter mark," remarked Roderick Wiles, the director for Africa, Middle East, South Asia and Oceania.

"Overall growth in exports to the region was driven largely by shipments to the two biggest markets in the GCC - Saudi Arabia and the UAE - where construction and renovation activity is extremely buoyant. However, significant increases were also seen in US hardwood lumber exports to Pakistan and Turkey, with the latter being driven, in the main, by increased buying of ash for thermal-modification," he stated.

In addition to participating at the exhibitions, AHEC will also be hosting educational seminars, which will revolve around educating attendees about the wide variety of American hardwood species as well as their important environmental credentials.-TradeArabia News Service