South American softwood lumber exports struggle with European expansion on global markets

Softwood lumber exports from South America plummeted deeper in the first quarter in the wake of a steep plunge in 2022. Shipments from Chile, by far South America’s largest exporting nation, fell to 1.18 million cubic meters through March, down 43% compared to the first three months of 2022. Chilean exports to foreign destinations declined to 6.9 million cubic meters last year, down 30% compared to 2021, according to figures from Global Trade Atlas. Brazilian shipments offshore slipped to 683,427 cubic meters in the first quarter, down 2% from the year-ago pace. Exports from ...