UAE imports of US hardwood lumber in 2012 were worth the highest for the product in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region with total shipments reaching $11.62 million, up 14 per cent over the previous year, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) said.

Total exports of US hardwood lumber and veneer to Mena reached $86.54 million for 2012, it revealed.

Shipments of American hardwood lumber reached a value of $62.41 million and a volume of 89,964 cu m, marking an increase of 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively over 2011. Direct shipments of US hardwood veneers in 2012 reached $24.10 million, rising 17 per cent. In general, exports to the region increased significantly for the year on account of a substantial increase in demand for American hardwoods in the UAE, Turkey, Jordan and Pakistan.

Turkey emerged as the second most significant destination with the value of shipments reaching $9.62 million and marking an increase of 68 per cent over 2011. In volume terms, Pakistan emerged as the number one buyer in the region, taking 16,056 cu m of American hardwood lumber for the year, which equated to $8.63 million in value terms. These numbers mark increases of 133 per cent and 170 per cent respectively over 2011.

Wiles: region’s markets taking in more

Speaking on the sidelines of a trade servicing mission to the UAE, Roderick Wiles, AHEC director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania, said: “Demand for American hardwoods in the Mena region is poised to remain strong this year as well. The majority of importers continue to acquire and maintain large stocks of American hardwoods, driven by the renewed surge in the construction sector. While significant increases were seen in the volume of shipments of ash and walnut to the Middle East and North Africa in 2012, red oak still accounted for 29 per cent of all exports of American hardwood lumber to the region. In addition to ash and walnut, the other major species exported included white oak and tulipwood.”

A closer look at other markets across the region reveals strong demand for American hardwood lumber in Saudi Arabia ($7.79 million), Egypt ($4.49 million), Jordan ($4.49 million), Lebanon ($3.29 million) and Qatar ($2.06 million). In terms of value, the biggest increases in exports of US hardwood lumber were seen in Oman (238 per cent), Qatar (149 per cent), Algeria (474 per cent) and Jordan (50 per cent). With respect to US hardwood veneers, the biggest markets were Egypt ($10.22 million), Turkey ($6.91 million), Lebanon ($2.96 million) and the UAE ($2.54 million).

REGION STABILISING
According to Wiles, fair growth in the economic sector and a significant movement towards recovery from the global financial crisis has seen the entire region stabilise, which is evident in the overall increase in exports across most markets.

“Given the on-going political and, therefore, economic uncertainty in Egypt, imports for timber products as a whole have been impacted negatively. However, the demand for American veneers remained strong and imports to Egypt actually grew by 10 per cent in 2012. Significantly, increases in exports of US hardwood lumber and veneers were seen in most markets across the region including for the first time in recent history, direct shipments of US hardwood lumber to Libya and Iraq. With demand expected to remain strong through 2013, we are looking forward to our participation at the upcoming Dubai WoodShow, which will provide us with another opportunity to interact with major players in the timber industry and to further promote the many positive attributes of American hardwoods,” concluded Wiles.