Jul 24, 2014. /Lesprom Network/. The surge in exports of Southern Pine lumber continues. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service recently reported exports of Southern Pine to be approximately 51.1 million board feet (MMbf) during May 2014. This volume represents an increase of 16% above the same month last year, and a solid year-to-date increase of 36% when compared with the first five months of 2013, as the Southern Forest Products Association said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. 

Offshore shipments during May roughly break down as follows: 26.9 MMbf dressed, 10.5 MMbf rough, and 13.7 MMbf treated lumber.

Softwood lumber imports to the U.S. during May were just over 1.15 billion board feet (Bbf), up 16% from the volume imported during May of 2013. Year-to-date softwood imports are up 6% when compared with last year. Canada shipped the great majority into the U.S. during May.

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.