The total value of exports of US hardwood lumber and veneers to India in 2023 was US$ 8.482 million, 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, were announced following AHEC’s successful participation at IndiaWood.

A total of 14 US hardwood log, lumber and veneer exporters participated at the show under the banner of the American Hardwood Pavilion.

A closer look at the numbers for 2023 reveal that total hardwood lumber shipped from the US to India increased by 3% in value to US$ 7.024 million (up from US$ 6.839 million in 2022) and by 21% in volume to 11,604 cubic metres (up from 9,614 cubic metres in 2022).

At the same time, direct exports of American hardwood veneers to the market reached US$ 1.458 million, whilst exports of logs fell to US$ 3.569 million (down by 47%) and 6,250 cubic metres (down by 36%).

A record year of exports to India, coupled with India’s growing appetite for temperate hardwoods in the face of decreasing local supply, has bolstered US hardwood exporters to become increasingly active in India.

The top six American hardwood species exported to India last year were White oak, Red oak, hickory, ash, maple and walnut. The biggest increases were seen in the value and volume of exports of ash, maple and walnut.

Jaipur seminar

AHEC also hosted a ‘mini-convention’ and trade servicing mission to Jaipur (Rajasthan) following the conclusion of IndiaWood. Several US hardwood exporting companies, in addition to AHEC staff and technical consultants, travelled to Jaipur to conduct a series of factory visits in conjunction with the Federation of Rajasthan Handicraft Exporters (FORHEX).

The trade servicing mission aimed to facilitate real trade between manufacturers in Jaipur and AHEC members. Visits to some of the leading manufacturers also helped American hardwood exporters better understand their needs, whilst the seminar threw the spotlight on new opportunities for American hardwoods, particularly for products destined for export markets.

According to Roderick Wiles, AHEC’s Regional Director, “India emerged as the biggest growth market for US hardwood lumber in the first half of 2023 and the trend continued throughout the year. This growing interest must be supported by a better understanding of the physical properties and potential for applications offered by the different species of American hardwood.”

The seminar with FORHEX provided the perfect opportunity to share this knowledge and to build a stronger relationship with Indian architects, interior designers, furniture designers and manufacturers, he added.

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