Peru Offers Opportunities
A housing deficit in Peru is one of the many factors encouraging builders there to consider wood-frame construction. Recently, a detailed assessment was made in the country regarding what technical and promotional assistance is needed to grow the market for imports of U.S. softwoods. Peru represents a significant opportunity for softwood lumber exports, volumes that are forecast to double over the next three years.
Currently, Chilean softwood imports are the materials of choice. Builders are anxious to introduce design values for U.S. softwoods into the country’s building codes, providing a strong competitive advantage. Based on interviews with builders and importers, the assessment noted the need to train builders about how to specify and build with U.S. materials, understand U.S. grades and sizes, as well as its advantages over Chilean products. Existing softwood plantations in Peru won’t reach sawlog dimensions for decades, so the opportunity is there for imports of U.S. lumber. Misuse of tropical hardwoods and illegal logging are two more issues that make imports of U.S. softwoods attractive to importers.
On behalf of the Southern Pine Council, and with support from the Foreign Agricultural Service’s Emerging Markets Program, a comprehensive 14-page assessment of the market in Peru for U.S. softwood lumber has been prepared. SFPA members can read the entire report within the Members Only section of SFPA.org, listed under Market Reports.
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