Roundwood coniferous market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The coniferous roundwood market volume in Northern America stood at 451 million m³ in 2018, then contracted over the next two years to 433 million m³ in 2020. It rebounded sharply to 455 million m³ in 2021, before falling again to 445 million m³ in 2022 and dropping to 394 million m³ in 2023.

Global industrial roundwood consumption rose by 6.5% in 2018, providing underlying support for North American demand that year. The subsequent volatility may reflect broader economic cycles, though no specific local drivers are recorded for most of the period. By 2024, U.S. roundwood imports had grown by 2.5%, and the market remained concentrated among major producers such as Weyerhaeuser, Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, and West Fraser.

Production coniferous roundwood in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Roundwood coniferous production in Northern America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 435.3 million cubic meters, marking a 1.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 455.7 million cubic meters, which represented a 6.9% increase that year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.1%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Northern America

Exports in kind, K m³

Northern America's roundwood coniferous export volume has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 3,211 thousand cubic meters, showing a sharp decline of 36.5% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports dropped by 37.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and South Korea were the key export partners for roundwood coniferous from Northern America. China accounted for 54.6% of exports in volume, Japan for 20.7%, and South Korea for 7.4%. Together, these three countries represented 82.8% of total export flows.

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

Roundwood coniferous exports from Northern America have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 309.3 million US dollars, reflecting a decrease of 44.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports fell by 51.6%, with an average annual decline of 21.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, China, Japan, and South Korea formed the primary group of export partners for roundwood coniferous from Northern America in value terms. China's share was 48.0%, Japan's was 23.5%, and South Korea's was 8.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 79.6% of total export value.

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 coniferous roundwood to Northern America

Imports in kind, K m³

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 362-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imported roundwood coniferous volumes in Northern America amounted to 588 thousand cubic meters, representing a steep decline of 64.4% year-over-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,651 thousand cubic meters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 14,066.5%.

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

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 market showed an unstable trend over the timeframe. Imports hit their minimum in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2018, with a 356-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Northern America imported 171.6 million US dollars worth of roundwood coniferous, reflecting a modest decrease of 8.2% compared to the prior year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 191.3 million US dollars, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a jump of 35,465.3%.

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

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

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