NEWS

U.S. imports of hardwood plywood continue to surge, up by nearly 22% in value year-to-date through August. The value of imports from Vietnam grew by nearly 72% and from Indonesia by more than 28%. The volume of all imports so far this year reached more than 1.6 billion square feet, up by more than 8%. The volume of imports from Vietnam more than doubled to over 415 million square feet.

The European Union opened a 14-month antidumping investigation into the sharp increase in Chinese plywood that has been flooding its ports. EU imports from China are already up by 23% for January–August 2024. There are growing concerns that Russia is now using China to circumvent sanctions, as evidenced by trade between the countries soaring by 74%.

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVII, Issue XIX: EU Proposes One-Year Delay Of EUDR | DHA Will Publish Revised Hardwood Plywood Standards | OSHA Proposes Workplace Heat Rule

How many people are employed in wood products manufacturing across the U.S. and in your state?

Answer: More than 450,000. Click the link below to see how many are employed in your state. 

PHOTO © TIMBER PRODUCTS COMPANY

The global decline of white oak forests is affecting the hardwood industry—and bourbon. By law, bourbon must be aged in new, charred American oak barrels. Most distilleries prefer white oak for its strength and resulting flavor and rich color. Oaks have declined in 39 countries. 31% of the 430 known oak species are approaching extinction.