US MDF imports from offshore suppliers hit a record 1.24 million m³ in 2010, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths.
The 25% increase was in stark contrast to a decline of the same magnitude in softwood lumber shipments from overseas.
Imports from China grew 15% to 667,000m³ to cement the country’s position as the US’s largest offshore supplier of MDF.
Canadian shipments slipped 10% to 387,000m³, while German volumes more than doubled to 203,000m³ and Chilean products reached 204,000m³.
The growth was in despite of weak demand and unfavourable exchange rates, though Random Lengths said that there was evidence that most of the overseas product was in specific niche thin stock (2.5-6mm).
