DHA eNews – U.S. Imports Of Hardwood Plywood Surge By 22%
With the federal government open again, activity has increased significantly. We recently received new data that continues to show a high and rapidly increasing volume of hardwood plywood imports flooding U.S. markets.
In addition, the Trump administration has taken several regulatory reform actions based, at least in part, on Supreme Court rulings. Not to be outdone, the EU may even be considering a simpler approach to the now‑delayed EU Deforestation Regulation.
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Keith A. Christman, President
PHOTO © JERRY GLASER, USCBP
With the federal government reopened, we are finally getting trade data through August. The volume of U.S. imports of hardwood plywood has grown by 21.7%; the dollar value is up by nearly 23%. Imports from Indonesia and Vietnam have grown by 63% and 44%, respectively.
The EU Parliament voted 402–250 to delay and simplify the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Key elements include a proposed one-year delay for all EU businesses until December 30, 2026. Small and micro businesses will receive an additional six-month delay until June 30, 2027. The Commission will conduct a simplification review by April 30, 2026, which could present opportunities for changes that would benefit U.S. businesses.
The House Natural Resources Committee approved the Standardizing, Permitting and Enhancing Economic Development Act with bipartisan support. The bill would streamline National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting reviews by narrowing their scope to direct impacts, imposing strict timelines, and limiting legal challenges. The goal is to bring greater clarity to the permitting process and more certainty to investments.
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a revised definition of waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) to align Clean Water Act protections with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling. The revised definition would reverse the previous administration's definition of WOTUS and exclude ditches, converted cropland, waste treatment systems, and groundwater from its scope.
The Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have proposed four rules to restore Endangered Species Act regulations to their 2019–2020 definitions, to improve the predictability of regulations and align implementation with statutes and recent Supreme Court rulings. The revisions would roll back 2024 changes that expanded federal reach.
EPA has asked a federal court to overturn the 2024 rule limiting soot pollution from power plants, factories, and vehicle exhaust, stating that the rule was procedurally flawed and should be vacated.
The EU's antidumping investigation into imports of hardwood plywood from China has resulted in antidumping duties that went into effect on November 21. The EU alleged that Chinese exporters were selling hardwood plywood below production cost, and imposed antidumping duties to protect EU manufacturers from unfair trade practices. The case has already led to importers sourcing more hardwood plywood from Vietnam.
Russia's forestry sector could face a severe contraction next year as sanctions tighten, interest rates remain high, and the ruble stays strong, according to Russian officials. Russian timber exports have dropped by more than 20% since the invasion of Ukraine, from $12.5 billion in 2021 to $9.8 billion last year.
U.S. imports of tropical hardwood veneer jumped by 27% in August to their highest level in two years. Most of the increase was driven by a spike in imports from Italy, in addition to sharp increases from India (+152%) and China (+41%). Veneer imports in August were 69% higher than last August, and have grown by 23% year-to-date through August.
The number of cabinets sold in October was down by 11.5% from last October; the dollar value sold dropped by 6.1%. Year-to-date sales fell by 13.2%.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2026 Bath Trends Report showed that wood-faced vanities, preferred by 62% of respondents, have overtaken painted vanities in popularity as part of the growing trend of biophilic design in bathrooms.
The European Commission has published a new plan to replace planet-heating fossil fuels with trees. The EU Bioeconomy Strategy seeks to replace fossil fuels in plastics, building materials, chemicals, and fibers with organic materials that regrow, such as trees and crops.
Vincent Logging, a family-owned logging company, is working with Hecla Mining Company to manage its forested lands for wildlife habitat. The 1,500-acre research project will help determine which management techniques provide the best habitat for endangered species.
Just how much water is in the average hardwood tree? What exactly do hardwood trees do in the winter to prevent freezing?