Fourteen U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer exporters to showcase beauty and versatility of American hardwoods.
The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, is set to host the largest ever American Hardwood Pavilion at INDIAWOOD, which is due to run from February 22 – 26, 2024 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), in Bengaluru, India. A record year of exports to India in 2023 coupled with India’s growing appetite for temperate hardwoods has bolstered U.S. hardwood exporters to become increasingly active in India. The event will see the participation of fourteen U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer exporters under the banner of the American Hardwood Pavilion.
The American Hardwood Pavilion, which will occupy 224 square meters of space at the show, will serve to highlight the variety of American hardwood species while also throwing the spotlight on the benefits of the value-added processes undertaken to supply such a high quality and high yielding kiln-dried raw material. Participating companies include Baillie Lumber, Banks Hardwoods, Bingaman & Son Lumber, Cascade Hardwood, Classic American Hardwoods, Crown Hardwood Co., Hartzell Hardwoods, Midwest Hardwood Corporation, Midwest Timber Exports, Missouri Walnut, Ron Jones Hardwood, Turman Group, Wheeland Lumber, and W.M. Cramer Lumber.
“Demand for North American hardwood lumber has been increasing in recent years, with 2023 looking set to be another record year for U.S. hardwood lumber exports to India. Data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the first eleven months of 2023 revealed that U.S. hardwood exports to India were valued at USD 6.54 million, equating to a volume of 10,905 cubic meters,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Regional Director. “We look forward to our participation at INDIAWOOD, which is a must-attend event for the region’s timber trade and woodworking sector.
Now in its thirteenth year, the show allows us the opportunity to share the comparative benefits of U.S. hardwoods, in a market that offers significant and long-term growth potential.” According to AHEC, whilst the export-focused furniture and handicraft manufacturers (concentrated in Rajasthan) represent the greatest current market opportunity for U.S. hardwood lumber in India, the long-term target market will be domestic consumers. Currently, this market is primarily serviced by smaller furniture, joinery and flooring manufacturers, who offer bespoke solutions and who are not export-focused. The size of the domestic furniture market cannot be understated. According to Mordor Intelligence, it is estimated at USD 15.79 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 26.85 billion by 2028, growing at an annual rate of over 11 percent during the forecast period.
In recent years, the market has expanded beyond chairs and tables to include designed interiors, wardrobes and upholstered furniture sets. Escalating demand for customization is another major growth-inducing factor, as consumers are seeking personalized, functional, and design-centric furniture. The heightened focus on sustainability and eco-friendly furniture made from renewable or recycled materials has also catalyzed market growth, while several favourable government initiatives, such as the ‘Make in India’ campaign, that encourage domestic manufacturing and enhance the availability of quality furniture at affordable prices are contributing to market growth.
“Despite increasing demand, there are very few importer/distributors, especially for such a large market. This means that, while large manufacturers can import containers directly and with relative ease, the smaller ones (of which there are hundreds, if not thousands), are restricted to buying from very limited and geographically-spread out imported stocks. Our participation at INDIAWOOD and the record attendance of U.S. hardwood exporters will certainly help our members grow their business ties in India and create stronger trade relations between India and the American hardwood industry for now and for many years to come,” concluded Wiles.