The value of US imports of assembled flooring panels jumped 29% in July 2020 to the highest level in more than 10 years at $18.6 million. While increases in building supply prices may have contributed to import value rises in recent months, it was a more than 30% rise in the import volume of panels that drove the jump in July, as ITTO reported.
The value of imports from Vietnam was up 68%, while the value of imports from China and Canada rose 35% and 15%, respectively. Despite the record month, the value of imports of assembled flooring panels is down 2% for 2020.
Imports of hardwood flooring also rose (12%) in July but are still at a monthly level only about two-thirds of where they were last July. Imports from China saw their strongest month since February while imports from Malaysia rose by 35%. Imports from Brazil were down 1% and are behind last year by 30% for the year. Overall imports are down 33% year-to-date.
