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.
