The overall export of US softwood lumber in 2014 increased 26 per cent over the previous year with total exports to the Mena region reaching $27.4 million.

The top five markets for American softwoods in the region last year were Egypt ($8.268 million), Libya ($5.245 million), Algeria ($2.981 million), Jordan ($2.252 million), and the UAE ($1.845 million).

The most significant increases were seen in Algeria, which was up by 701 per cent to $2.981 million; Bahrain, up by 476 per cent to $1.115 million; Jordan, which increased by 276 per cent to $2.252 million; and Morocco, up by 150 per cent to $1.265 million.

Double-digit growth was also seen in other markets such as Egypt (66 per cent), Turkey (62 per cent), Lebanon (76 per cent) and Kuwait (36 per cent) whilst a marginal downturn in shipments was seen in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. In terms of species, Southern Yellow Pine dominated exports with over 59 per cent of all softwood lumber exports to the region.

“The Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region is growing in importance for producers of American softwoods and we have been pleased with how well the market has accepted our species and products. We would like to expand further particularly in the UAE and in other Gulf markets such as Saudi Arabia. In North Africa, Libya and Morocco are significant importers as well as Egypt,” said Charles Trevor, consultant to American Softwoods (AMSO) - the promotional partnership formed by three major US softwood trade associations.

American softwoods have many uses in the Mena region, including concrete forming; structural uses including wood framing for residential and light commercial buildings up to five storeys high; outdoor uses such as walkways, bridges, cladding, decks, marinas, and playground equipment; and in joinery for windows and doors, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, moulding, panelling and staircases. Trevor is particularly positive on key drivers including the housing and construction boom in Dubai, UAE, which he believes will accelerate as Dubai Expo 2020 approaches.

“Looking ahead, we would like to interest and influence specifiers across the region and ensure that they have as much information as they need to design and build with American softwoods. Not only are American softwoods available in a wide range of grades and sizes, but they come from some of the most sustainably managed forests in the world, they are of excellent quality and are competitively priced. Our role is to help specifiers and other decision-makers to develop a greater understanding of wood as a viable, suitable and environmentally-friendly material for numerous applications, which should, in time, lead to greater use of this wonderful and sustainable resource,” Trevor said. – TradeArabia News Service