The value of wood flooring exports to Canada for the first half of 2011 grew 6 percent from $35.6 million during the same period in 2010 to $37.7 million, according to the latest figures from the USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service that were prepared by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). These figures mean Canada remains the country's largest export market for U.S. wood flooring by a wide margin; next in line is Mexico, which imported $1.2 million during the first half of 2011.
The U.S. exported $45.1 million in wood flooring from January to June, and Canada accounted for 84 percent of that total. This total is up 2 percent from the same period in 2010, when U.S. manufacturers sent $44.4 million worth of production overseas.
While Mexico is second in line for the value of its wood flooring imported from the U.S., that may be where the opportunity lies for domestic producers. "Hardwood flooring interest is on the rise in Mexico, as they have found it cheaper to import it rather than to produce it," said AHEC's Manager of International Programs An Di Nguyen.
Exports to Mexico in 2011 have already surpassed the total value of $1.0 million exported there in all of 2009.
"If costs of logistics between [Mexico and the U.S.] were ever to decrease, you would probably see an increase in flooring exports," added Nguyen.
