Log exports from USA to the world dropped -27% so far this year compared to 2024, and lumber exports fell almost -9%.
Total log exports from USA to the world were US$347 million for the first eight months of 2025, compared to US$474 million last year.
Deep Dive Into the Data:
- US log exports to China plummeted -95% in January to August, to US$7 million, from US$132 million for the same time in 2024. That to Japan increased +5%, to US$150 million for the first eight months of 2025, from US$143 million last year.
- Lumber exports from USA to the world fell -9% year-to-date, from US$633 million in 2024 to US$577 million this year. Exports to Canada, China, and Japan all fell, by -30%, -44%, and -30% respectively.
- US lumber imports from the world increased by +3.4%, for January to August this year compared to the same time in 2024, lead by Europe which was up +15%, to US$833 million, from US$723 million for the first eight months of last year. That from Canada dropped -1.2%, to US$3,425 million, from US$3,467 million in 2024.
US lumber exports to Canada were US$95 million for January to August this year, compared to US$137 million in 2024.
US lumber imports from Chile increased +30.4% year-to-date, from US$117 million in 2024 to US$153 million this year.
The changes to trade flows between USA and other countries, specifically with China and Canada, are starkly visible in the following graphs:
In the week ending December 05, 2025 the price of benchmark construction framing dimension softwood lumber commodity Western Spruce-Pine-Fir 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$380 mfbm, which was down -$10, or -3%, from the previous week when it was $390, said weekly forest products industry price guide newsletter Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was down -$25, or -6%, from one month ago when it was $405.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$460 mfbm, that price was down -$70, or -15%. Compared to two years ago when it was $404, that week’s price was down -$14, or -3%.
For its part, in the week ending December 05, 2025 the price of Southern Yellow Pine – East Side 2×4 #2&Btr KD (RL) was US$350 mfbm, which was flat from the previous week, said Madison’s Lumber Reporter. That week’s price was down -$4, or -1%, from one month ago when it was $354.
Compared to the same week last year, when it was US$435 mfbm, that price was down -$85, or -20%. Compared to two years ago when it was $405, that week’s price was down -$55, or -14%.