Pictured here, annual U.S. hardwood log export volumes have fluctuated widely since 1990, from a low-point of around 1 million cubic meters per year in 1990, to a high-point of 2.4 million cubic meters in 2005. In recent years, export volumes have generally been between 1.6 and 2.2 million cubic meters per year. Year-to-date hardwood log export volumes for 2024 are on pace to surpass 2023 by 10%, which is positive for our industry. It's interesting to note how both destination-country-concentration, and species preferences have changed during the 30+ years. While Germany and Japan combined for 31% of U.S. hardwood log exports in 1990, those two countries represented a combined, mere 4% by 2010. Germany fell out of the top 10 altogether by 2024. Also noteworthy, neither China nor Vietnam was among the top-10 U.S. hardwood log export destination countries in 1990, but had grown to account for a combined 28% of our total hardwood log exports by 2010, and to a whopping 62% (combined) as of September 2024. Additionally, walnut represented a tiny 6% of our hardwood log export volume in 1990, and has grown to account for 25% of our nation's hardwood log exports as of September 2024.
