Shipments to the country reached 18 million board feet, triple the level of a year ago, overtaking Japan as America’s biggest offshore customer.
The upward trend was repeated across the Caribbean, with US exports to the region growing by 67% to 47 million board feet.
Shipments to the Caribbean rose by 16% in 2005, following five years of steady decline. A strong tourism industry and oil profits have been credited with creating demand for lumber.
Total US exports during the first quarter were up 11% compared to a year ago, though shipments to Canada suffered a 12% reverse.
