US knocks on Mideast doors
01 May 2005
With the Middle East and Indian markets entering a strong phase of growth, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is looking forward to improve on its sales performance for the previous year.
“Hardwood consumption is rapidly growing in the markets of the Middle East and India. In order to allow for importers, end-users and consumers in these regions to have the widest possible choice of hardwoods available to them, AHEC needs to make sure that American hardwoods are well-represented and that the messages of a wide choice of species and looks and their long-term sustainability are spread effectively,” a spokesman says.
US hardwood lumber, veneer and flooring exports to the Middle East reached a value of $47.2 million in 2004 – a 31 per cent increase on the previous year. Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the region, saw a substantial increase in its imports of hardwood lumber and flooring from the US, with imports reaching 29,000 cu m and accounting for over half of all direct shipments of American hardwood lumber to the region.
While US hardwood exports to the Middle East increased substantially during 2004, the increase in exports to India was more modest. Direct hardwood lumber shipments from the US increased by three per cent to 455 cu m, while log shipments actually decreased. However, one new development in India was the sudden market interest in American hardwood flooring. From no imports in 2003, over 12,000 sq m of US hardwood flooring was exported to India last year, he says.
Hardwood flooring is a relatively new concept in both the Middle Eastern and Indian markets, but is developing quickly into a desirable product for commercial, public and residential developments.
Exports of hardwood flooring from the US to the Middle East reached 27,000 sq m in 2004, Qatar taking the lion’s share. However, hardwood flooring in American species, such as red oak, cherry, hard maple and walnut is also imported from Canada and Europe.
“All markets in the Middle East have growth potential and we try to ensure that we have an understanding of the latest market developments across the region. However, much of our promotional strategy is aimed at Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the other rapidly developing Gulf markets. This is where growth in consumption is increasing the fastest and where American hardwoods are being used in the widest context,” he concludes.
