Billion cubic feet 
10 
Sawlogs 
~ 
Pulpwood 
Veneer logs 
\ 
OF 
1950 1960 1970 1980 
<a Fuelwood 
=e 
a — 
at 
Se 
ow —— 
—— 
o“~ - 
- 
> A 
a 
= en Say ee Cy ~— 
be) 
2000 2010 2020 2030 
Figure 3.7—Roundwood consumption by product in the United States, 1952-84, with projections to 2030 
hardwood markets), hardwood roundwood consumption rose 
most rapidly. 
These trends are expected to continue, with demand for 
both hardwoods and softwoods rising through most of the 
projection period. By 2030, projected demand for soft- 
woods is up 20 percent, to 14.9 billion cubic feet; however, 
hardwood demand rises 72 percent, to 7.4 billion. In 2030, 
about two-thirds of total demand is for softwoods and one- 
third hardwoods, compared to 74 and 26 percent, respec- 
tively, in 1984. 
Trade in Timber Products 
The United States is, at the same time, the world’s leading 
importer of timber products and a major timber products 
exporter. The total value of all U.S. timber products im- 
ports in 1984 was $12.2 billion; exports were worth $7.2 
billion. 
Trends in imports and exports of the major wood products, 
lumber, panel products, and pulpwood in standard units of 
measure are shown in tables 3.4-3.7. When these various 
products are converted to roundwood equivalent, and the 
roundwood equivalent of pulp, paper, and board is included, 
it can be seen that U.S. imports and exports of timber- 
based products are large and have been increasing over the 
past three decades. For example, in 1984 total imports 
amounted to 4.2 billion cubic feet, triple the volume im- 
ported in 1952. Over the same period, exports rose about 
10.5 times, to 2.1 billion cubic feet. 
Projected Imports—Among the various products imported, 
softwood lumber, nearly all from Canada, is most impor- 
tant in terms of cubic volume. Between 1952 and 1984, soft- 
wood lumber imports rose from 2.3 billion to 13.3 billion 
board feet; however, a large part of this increase has taken 
place over the past decade. Projections show a further rise 
to 16.0 billion board feet in 1990. Current perceptions are 
107 
