Feb 17, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. US imports of tropical lumber from January to November 2009 were close to 50% below year-to-date volumes in 2008, ITTO reported. In November 2009, year-to-date lumber imports of balsa were 49,500 cubic metres (-29%), Ipe 16,300 cubic metres (-55%) and Mahogany 14,400 (-48%). Acajou d’afrique imports were 14,000 cubic metres (-70%) and sapelli 11,200 cubic metres (-54%). Only Teak lumber was in the range of last year’s imports at 5,400 cubic metres (-8%). Import volumes for the other main species imported into the US are shown in the figure below. At the start of 2010, tropical lumber supply and demand in the US are better balanced than during much of the previous year. This means import volumes are unlikely to fall any further, and prices should be more stable.