——The American Hardwood Review compiled by Mr. Xu Meiqi, November 2020

In November 2020, U.S. hardwood sawn timber exports fell very little, reaching 285,000 m³ (121 million board feet (MMBF)), which was a 6% decline compared to the same period last year.

Due to China's relatively strong demand for red oak, exports to China in November exceeded 118,000 m³ (50 million board feet (MMBF)) for the first time in five months. The shipment volume to Vietnam has declined, but the shipment volume from August to November is the fourth highest ever.

By November, U.S. hardwood sawn timber exports to Asia have fallen by less than 0.5% compared to the same period in 2019. Shipments of ash, red oak and tulipwood to Asia are all higher than those of the same period in 2019. 

Vietnam's demand for Liriodendron tulipifera fell from January to the end of May, but rebounded in June and remained until the end of November. This increased the total number of the year to date by 8% compared to the same period in 2019.

Due to the confusion in the procurement season caused by  COVID-19 epidemic, China purchased more tulip tree than Vietnam in May, but the average monthly export of tulip tree to Vietnam has increased by three and a half times since then.

In 2020, the shipments of American walnut will be transferred to China and Vietnam, and their purchases will increase by 10% and 32% respectively. The important thing is that the increase in walnut shipments to Vietnam is almost as large as the increase to China, and the Chinese market is about 4 times the size of Vietnam.

In 2019, China and Vietnam together accounted for 56% of all U.S. walnut exports, which rose to 64% in 2020, while shipments to the secondary Asian market fell by 20% in 2020.