Jul 09, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. This year continues to be a robust one for exports of Southern Pine lumber. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service reported exports of Southern Pine to be approximately 44.3 million board feet (MMbf) for April 2014. This volume represents an increase of 26% above the same month last year, and a solid year-to-date increase of 43% when compared with the first four months of 2013. Offshore shipments during April roughly break down as follows: 24.1 MMbf dressed, 9.1 MMbf rough, and 11.1 MMbf treated lumber, as the Southern Forest Products Association said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

Softwood lumber imports to the U.S. during April were just over one billion board feet (Bbf), down 2% from the volume imported during April of 2013. Year-to-date softwood imports are up 3% when compared with last year. Canada shipped the lion’s share into the U.S. during April.

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) was founded in 1915 as the Southern Pine Association. Today, SFPA is recognized as one of the foremost trade organizations in the forest products industry and represents Southern Pine lumber manufacturers from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. SFPA’s members produce about 45% of the Southern Pine lumber in the United States.