NEWS

The Hardwood Federation and American Hardwood Export Council met with USDA staff to discuss the status of the EU Deforestation Regulation and its potential impact on the U.S. hardwood industry. The good news: USDA understands the many challenges of the EUDR and has been working with the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to communicate concerns to their European counterparts.

Sales of cabinets have continued to decline. In September, sales volume fell by 13.8% vs. September 2023. Year-to-date through September, the volume of cabinets sold was 5.2% lower than last year and the dollar value of cabinets sold was down by 2.7%.

Read more: September Trend Of Business Report →

Logging—a way of life in Appalachia—is "hanging on by a thread," reported The Wall Street Journal. The story highlighted the decline in the U.S. furniture industry after China's admission to the World Trade Organization and the decline in U.S. lumber exports after China retaliated for tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

PHOTO © USFS CHRIS WARNER

Decorative Hardwoods Association (formerly HPVA) eNews Volume XVII, Issue XX: EU Cracks Down On China For Dumping Hardwood Plywood | U.S. Imports Of Hardwood Plywood Surge By 24% | Hardwood Industry Fights For Tax Relief

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack responded to a letter signed by DHA and 54 other forestry associations. The forestry letter urged the USDA to acknowledge the full spectrum of forest products and the benefits of diverse markets, including sawlogs, pulpwood, and biomass.