Total exports of U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer to India in the first half of 2025 reached USD 6.226 million, according to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry. Statistics compiled from the latest data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed that U.S. hardwood lumber exports to India reached USD 5.894 million whilst U.S. hardwood veneer exports were valued at USD 332,000. Aiming to support the increasing demand for U.S. hardwoods, AHEC has announced its participation at the inaugural KOLKATAWOOD show taking place at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan in Kolkata from September 12 – 14, 2025.
According to the statistics, which have been compiled from the latest data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), total hardwood lumber shipped from the United States to India in the first half of this year increased by 58 percent in value to reach USD 5.894 million (up from USD 3.739 million) and increased by 62 percent in volume to reach 9,204 cubic meters (up from 5,672 cubic meters).
A closer look at the numbers for the first half of this year revealed that the top seven American hardwood species exported to India were red oak (USD 1.728 million and 2,980m3), white oak (USD 1.720 million and 2,401m3), hickory (USD 1.021 million and 1,349m3), tulipwood (USD 416,000 and 905m3), walnut (USD 379,000 and 410m3) ash (USD 361,000 and 704m3) and maple (USD 203,000 and 335m3). The biggest increases were seen in the value and volume of exports of tulipwood (733 percent and 516 percent), maple (210 percent and 89 percent), and red oak (101 percent and 113 percent). The continued dominance of red oak as the biggest species exported, accounting for almost 30 percent of the value of American hardwood lumber exported to India is an extremely positive development in this expanding market.
Having not visited Kolkata for a while, AHEC has planned an educational seminar on the first evening of the show in partnership with the Bengal Timber Importers Association (BTIA). The seminar will focus on all aspects of American hardwoods, including the resource, sustainable forest management, production, kiln-drying, lumber grading and the wide range of species available and will also provide an opportunity for AHEC representatives and members to reconnect with the leading timber importers, wood processing factories, and furniture designer-makers. The seminar and exhibition follows trade servicing trips and seminars in Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad in 2025 as part of AHEC’s mission to raise the level of awareness and understanding about U.S. hardwood species and their applications.
“A key takeaway from AHEC’s multiple visits to India over the past few years is the fact that the market presents opportunities for a wide range of U.S. hardwood species in both upper and lower grades. There are many sub-sectors within the Indian furniture and joinery manufacturing sector, and each has a different target market. The common thread is that there is a growing need for imported hardwood lumber. American red oak, in particular, is becoming more widely-known in the market and is regarded as competitive, as well as both a reliable and versatile species, with good qualities for high end furniture production. We look forward to our participation at KOLKATAWOOD where we hope to meet some of the leading players from the timber industry in India and further reinforce the potential for American hardwoods in India,” concluded Roderick Wiles, AHEC Regional Director.
