The overall export of US softwood lumber in 2014 increased 26 per cent over the previous year with total exports to the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region reaching $27.4 million.

The top five markets for American softwoods in the region last year were Egypt ($8.268 million), Libya ($5.245 million), Algeria ($2.981 million), Jordan ($2.252 million), and the UAE ($1.845 million). The most significant increases were seen in Algeria, which was up by 701 per cent to $2.981 million; Bahrain, up by 476 per cent to $1.115 million; Jordan, which increased by 276 per cent to $2.252 million; and Morocco, up by 150 per cent to $1.265 million.

Double-digit growth was also seen in other markets such as Egypt (66 per cent), Turkey (62 per cent), Lebanon (76 per cent) and Kuwait (36 per cent) while a marginal downturn in shipments was seen in Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.