US imports of sawn tropical hardwood rose only 2% in October as imports for 2020 continue to lag far below those of 2019. The 13,491 m3 imported was more than 38% below the volume imported in October of last year. Year-to- October imports remain down 36% from 2019, as ITTO reported.
Imports from Ecuador and Malaysia each rose by 39% in October, yet they remain the two countries whose exports to the US are down the most for the year. Year-to-October imports from Ecuador are down 68% while imports from Malaysia are off by 44%.
Balsa import volumes rose in October by 29% but were still only about one-third of what they were for October of last year. Balsa imports are down 67% year-to-October. Similarly, imports of Keruing, while rising 39% in October, are down 49% year-to-October.
Canadian imports of tropical hardwood rose 7% in October but are down 16% year-to-October.
