TOTAL exports of US hardwood lumber and veneer to the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region reached $86.54 million for the year 2012, said a report from the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry.

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. In addition, direct shipments of US hardwood veneers to the Mena region during 2012 reached a total value of $24.10 million, rising by 17 per cent in comparison to the previous year. 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.

The statistics have been released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and show that the UAE, in value, was the number one destination for US hardwood lumber for 2012, with total shipments reaching $11.62 million, rising by 14 per cent in comparison to the previous year.

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 has emerged as the number one buyer in the region, taking 16,056 cu m of American hardwood lumber for the year, which was worth $8.63 million in value terms. These numbers mark increases of 133 per cent and 170 per cent respectively over 2011.

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 lumber to the region. In addition to ash and walnut, the other major species exported included white oak and tulipwood,” he added.

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, Turkey, Lebanon and the UAE.