US timber exports to Australia at record levels in 2024

Full year data from the US Department of Agriculture shows that exports to Australia were the highest since records began in 2024. Total exports totalled 34,852 cubic metres in volume with a value of more than USD25.6 million.

A large proportion of this growth can be attributed to Australia’s appetite for American red oak. Red oak shares many of the characteristics of its cousin, American white oak. It is strong and versatile with a consistent grain. It’s also readily available and priced well relative to alternative timbers of comparable quality. Shipments of this species to Australia increased in volume by 86% over 2024 to over 16,000 cubic metres and in value by 49% to USD13.4million.

Rod Wiles, Regional Director for The American Hardwood Export Council said of the newly released figures, “We are seeing growth in the appetite for red oak in many markets around the world but the figures for Australia are exceptional. A contributing factor appears to be that the architecture and design community have become aware not only of its structural capabilities and fabulous versatility, but also that it’s not ‘red’. Most red oak is very similar in hue to white oak and people are surprised to learn that it is named after the colour of the leaves of the tree in fall, rather than the colour of the timber”.