Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwoods industry, has revealed that US$4.7 million worth of American hardwoods were exported into India in 2010, reflecting significant increases in the shipment of American hardwood lumber, veneer, flooring and logs into the Indian market. The combined value of exports of lumber and veneer products reached US$3.2 million, with US$1.3 million being accounted by lumber. Ten per cent growth in India's construction sector is forecast in 2011 and this will help drive in an accelerated demand for more American hardwoods throughout the year.
According to AHEC, exports of American hardwood lumber to the market picked up well after the slight downturn in 2009 and reached a volume of 2,030 m3 in 2010. The increase showed a 97 per cent increase from 2009 and set a new record with shipments passing the 2,000 m3 mark for the first time. Over the last year, direct shipments of American hardwood veneers into India posted a 7 per cent increase on the value seen in 2009. This recorded increase does not cover American hardwood veneers that have reached India via Europe and/or Asia. During the same period, India remained a destination for American hardwoods logs, mainly for sawing, in 2010. The total volume reached 2,506 m3 and marked a 107 per cent increase on the previous year.
“India is currently displaying vibrancy in its construction industry, as shown in the continuously increasing number of projects across the country. AHEC remains confident that the buoyancy seen in the construction industry will help stir in greater demand for American hardwoods,“ said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania. “While India still has some way to go before it becomes a major market for imported temperate hardwoods, whether from United States or elsewhere, our ongoing efforts to increase awareness have been widely and well received and accepted by architects, interior designers and end users,” he added.
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