Offshore US softwood imports in the second quarter dropped to their lowest level since 1999 due to weak demand and unfavourable exchange rates, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths.
A total of 243 million board feet was imported during the period, down 37% on the first quarter. First half volumes were 19% below a year ago.
Much of the withdrawal was from German suppliers who have experienced weak returns in the US market.
Shipments from the 10 largest European suppliers fell to 329 million board feet in the first half, a drop of 15% on 2007.
Plantation pine shipments from New Zealand were unchanged, while South American imports fell 25%.
