Non coniferous sawnwood market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-coniferous sawnwood in Northern America declined from 23.6 million m³ in 2018 to 15.0 million m³ in 2023. A sharp contraction occurred in 2020, followed by a modest recovery in 2021 and 2022. This rebound was supported by increased U.S. production and consumption after prior fluctuations, although ongoing global supply-chain and logistics disruptions affected market conditions. The market shrank again in 2023, pressured by interest-rate hikes that reduced housing and construction activity, curtailing demand for sawnwood products.

In 2024, U.S. production of non-coniferous sawnwood rose by 2.4% to 14 million m³. Logistics bottlenecks, including a major Canadian rail shutdown, continued to influence cross-border trade flows. Concurrently, consumer preferences increasingly favored provenance-tracked and certified lumber, with over half of buyers considering country-of-origin labeling when purchasing wood products.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous sawnwood, 2017-2020

Non-coniferous sawnwood production in Northern America has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, production stood at a higher level, but by 2020 it had dropped to 17,697 thousand cubic meters, marking a significant 24.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 27.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of non-coniferous sawnwood production in Northern America has also decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, output was valued higher, but in 2020 it dropped to $10,736 million US, representing a sharp 25.9% decline compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 46.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Northern America

Exports in kind, K m³

After rising for two years, non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Northern America saw a decline. In 2019, export volume peaked at 512.9 thousand cubic meters, but in 2020 it fell to 426.0 thousand cubic meters, a significant 16.9% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 19.5%, averaging a 6.1% annual growth rate. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 35.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for non-coniferous sawnwood in kind was fairly balanced rather than concentrated. China accounted for 24.2% of exports, Vietnam for 1.9%, and Japan for 1.7%, together making up 27.8% of total flows. The remaining 72.2% was distributed among many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Northern America in value terms declined. In 2019, exports reached a high of $317.1 million US, but in 2020 they dropped to $258.5 million US, an 18.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, non-coniferous sawnwood from Northern America was exported to a diverse range of markets. China led with 31.2% of exports in value terms, followed by Japan at 3.5% and the United Kingdom at 3.3%, together accounting for 38.1% of total exports. The remaining 61.9% was spread across numerous smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern America in value, 2017-2020

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Northern America

Imports in kind, K m³

Import volumes for non-coniferous sawnwood in Northern America showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2017, imports hit a low of 131.1 thousand cubic meters, but by 2018 they surged to a peak of 139.8 thousand cubic meters, a 192.8% increase. In 2019, imports fell by 41.8%, and in 2020 they rose again to 131.1 thousand cubic meters, a 61.2% year-over-year increase. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, there was a 2.9-fold variation between the minimum and maximum levels.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon was the main and most stable source for imports in kind, accounting for 0.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of non-coniferous sawnwood imports into Northern America declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports peaked at $269.1 million US, but by 2020 they had fallen to $211.4 million US, a robust 17.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.1%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Cameroon and Brazil were the key sources for imports in value terms, together accounting for 2.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern America in value, 2017-2020