North American pellet exports 22% higher in 2014 than in 2015

14 May 2015

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Exportation of wood pellets from North America to Europe and Asia reached an all-time high rising 22% percent in 2014 from the previous year, according to the North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR). 20 US exports to Europe increased for the 12th consecutive quarter, reaching a new high of just over 1.1 million tons in the Q4, 2014.

Minor volumes of pellets to Asia, shipped by containers from the US West Coast, fell as manufacturers concentrated on seasonal local demand.

By far the largest consumer of US pellets in the past year has been the UK, which in Q4, 2014 was the destination of 73% of US export volumes. However, the UK market has not always been in such a dominant position. In 2013, the share was 55% and in 2012 only a modest 31%.

With over 20 new export-oriented pellet plants being built or having credible plans to operate in the next two years in the Southern States, further significant growth in North American pellet exports can be expected.

British Columbia's overseas pellet exports in the Q4, 2014 fell by 15% from the previous quarter.