The U.S. imported 55,037 cubic meters of tropical hardwood lumber from Brazil in 2020, six percent less than the year prior. That imports of Brazilian hardwood lumber finished the year down just 6% is impressive considering that they were down 24% halfway through the year.

See also: US tropical hardwood lumber imports decreased 34% in 2020

Jatoba lumber imports decreased 15% from 16,323 m3 to 13,940. Virola lumber decreased significantly as well, from 5,834 m3 to 4,791, a change of 18%. The basket of species classified as “Other” decreased 66%, from 2,649 m3 to 893 m3.

On the other hand, Ipe lumber imports increased 8% from 31,933 m3 to 34,559.

Interestingly, Teak lumber imports from Brazil sky-rocketed 294% from its small base of 100 m3 in 2019 to 394 m3 in 2020. Unless misclassified on the documentation, this likely represents lumber from plantations, and not tropical forests, as Teak is not native to Brazil.

Also of note is the handful of African and Asian species that appear to be re-exports such as the Padauk, Sapelli, and Keruing.

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