The total value of U.S. hardwood exports to India reached USD 3.247 million in the first quarter of this year, according to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry. The statistics, which have been compiled from the latest data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), were announced at the opening of Interzum 2023 on May 9, 2023.
A closer look at the numbers reveal that total hardwood lumber shipped from the United States to India increased by 36 percent in value to USD 2.142 million (up from USD 1.581 million for the same time period in 2022) and by 68 percent in volume to reach 3,796 cubic meters (up from 2,262 cubic meters for the first quarter of 2022). At the same time, direct exports of American hardwood veneers to the market reached USD 77,000 (up by 38 percent in comparison to Q1 last year). Lastly, exports of hardwood logs increased by 50 percent and 29 percent to reach 2,023 cubic meters and USD 1.03 million respectively.
The top five American hardwood species exported to India in the first quarter of this year include ash (USD 744,000 and 1,377m3), white oak (USD 496,000 and 722m3), red oak (USD 276,000 and 499m3), maple (USD 281,000 and 686m3), and hickory (USD 249,000 and 292m3). Significant increases were seen in the value and volume of exports of ash (1,386 percent and 1,688 percent), and maple (965 percent and 1,424 percent). According to AHEC, the increase in exports in Q1 follows a new record for exports of U.S. hardwood lumber to India in 2022, with the total value of American hardwood lumber and veneer exported reaching USD 8.618 million.