US imports of hardwood plywood declined by 15% in January from the previous month but were nearly even with totals from January 2018. While China remains the largest supplier, import volume continue to fall being down 51% from December and 35% from the previous January.

Vietnam and Russia continue to make up the difference with gains of 13% and 22% respectively. Imports from Vietnam were nearly three times higher in January 2019 than in January 2018.

Sawn tropical hardwood imports surge

After showing no growth in 2018, US imports of sawn tropical hardwood had a promising start for 2019. January imports rose by 32% over December and were 40% higher than January 2018.

The volume of imports from Ecuador, Brazil, Cameroon and Malaysia were all up sharply.

Monthly imports of teak, keruing, ipe and acajou d’Afrique were all more than double that of January 2018.

Tropical veneer imports disappoint

US imports of tropical hardwood veneer fell by 10% in January, starting the year sluggishly after a strong 2018.

Imports lagged 18% behind that of January 2018. While imports from China improved by 53% over a poor December showing, they remain down nearly 70% from 2018 levels. Imports from Italy fell by 35% in January and lag behind last year by 17%.

Imports from India and Cote d’Ivoire both saw strong gains in January.

Weakening Chinese imports drives down flooring

Hardwood flooring and assembled flooring panel imports were weaker in January. US imports of hardwood flooring declined by 29% from December totals, but were still ahead of January 2018 by 30%. A sharp decline of 67% in Chinese imports brought down the totals, despite strong gains from Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil.

Imports of assembled flooring panels were down by 10% in January, but ahead of January 2018 by 17%. Falling Chinese imports were again the culprit. Imports from China were down by nearly 60%.

Moulding imports start 2019 badly – the worst month this decade

US imports of hardwood mouldings fell sharply in January. Imports declined by 33% in January and trail January of 2018 totals by 35%.

Imports of US$10.9 million January were the lowest of this decade. Imports from Brazil and China fell by 41% and 53% respectively.