Higher prices forecast for softwood mouldings in United States

Sursa:
ITTO
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In 2013, US consumption of pine and other softwood mouldings increased by 12% according to a market study released in August by International Wood Markets Group (U.S. Clear Pine Lumber and Moulding Market Outlook: 2014 - 2018). The US market for softwood mouldings is largely driven by new home construction and home repair and remodelling. For 2014, the market study forecasts a 4% increase in moulding demand.

The relatively low growth is the result of the slow recovery in new home construction. Mouldings consumption is projected to grow faster from 2015 to 2018 because of an overall positive outlook for the US economy. The availability of clear pine grown in the US is much lower than twenty years ago. As a result, the US millwork industry (including moulding manufacturers) relies heavily on imported sawnwood from pine plantations in Chile, New Zealand and Brazil.

The market share of moulding imports is expected to grow. In 2013, imported mouldings accounted for 40% of total consumption. Softwood moulding imports almost doubled between 2009 and 2013. The value of moulding imports was US$693 million in 2013.

Pine mouldings from Brazil and Chile dominate imports but imports from China have grown significantly and China is now the US' fourth-largest supplier of softwood mouldings. Solid pine moulding s are losing market share to hardwood moulding, plastic and paint-grade mouldings made from MDF or finger-jointed pine.

Relatively few producers supply the US softwood moulding market and the market study predicts a rise in prices as US demand grows in the next four years.

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