CAIRO: Amidst the political unrest that has affected Egypt this year, the country has maintained its position as one of the top destinations within the Middle East and North African (MENA) market for American hardwood lumber with over $3.828 million worth of imports entering the country during the first half of 2011, according to a statement issued by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), an international trade association for the American hardwood industry.
The value of American hardwood lumber shipped to the MENA region from January to June 2011 increased by 1.3 percent over the same six months of this year and reached a total of $24.35 million. In addition, the first two quarters has seen exports of hardwood veneers to the MENA region increase by 15 percent to $10.66 million, while exports of flooring increased by 5 percent to $603,217 and logs by 4 percent to $14.25 million.
According to the most recent reports from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a total of over $2.637 million (equivalent to 4,193 cubic meters) of American red oak was imported into Egypt from January to June of 2011, making up a large part of the American hardwood lumber entering the country and further affirming its position as a major user of this important commercial species.
Imports of white oak reached $634,343 or around 1,006 cubic meters, whilst imports of ash reached $385,127 or around 541 cubic meters. Meanwhile, imports of American walnut for January to June of 2011 figured at $144,876 or 113 cubic meters, which represents a 397 percent increase in value and a 769 percent increase in volume over the same period in 2010.
“Amidst the political events that happened earlier this year, Egypt has still managed to maintain its position as a leading market for American hardwoods and red oak in particular, which is widely preferred for its look, durability and strong physical properties, making it the perfect material for interior applications and furniture,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania.
“The country is now looking to pick up momentum in its efforts to regain economic stability. In fact, Egypt is being touted as one of the most promising markets in construction for the MENA region with a projected yearly spend of around $7.3 billion. The American hardwood industry is confident that this will lead to even greater demand for US hardwoods in the coming months and years.”
In spite of the unsettled political and economic climate in some parts of the Middle East and North Africa, the construction and interiors sectors in the region – especially Saudi Arabia – have recovered well from any effects of the global financial crisis and demand for wood products has picked up considerably. Looking across the region, the leading destinations for American hardwood lumber during the first half of 2011 were the UAE ($5.39 million), Saudi Arabia ($5.265 million) and Egypt ($3.828 million). Import figures from other markets include Lebanon ($1.34 million), Jordan ($1.2 million), Qatar ($600,176), Kuwait ($522,966), Bahrain ($161,000) and Oman ($93,000).
“The increase in imports of American hardwoods into the Middle East region demonstrates the positive response of our initiatives to increase awareness on the immense potential of American hardwoods. This has further encouraged us to continue with our efforts in reaching out to our target audience of architects, contractors, consultants, interior designers and craftsmen and make them more aware of the range of choice, the qualities of American hardwood and their sustainability when used across the growing number of construction and interior design projects in the Middle East,” concluded Wiles.
