August 17, 2026 – Total exports of U.S. hardwood lumber and veneer to India in the first half of 2026 reached USD 6.944 million, according to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry. Statistics compiled from the latest data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed that U.S. hardwood lumber exports to India reached USD 6.428 million whilst U.S. hardwood veneer exports were valued at USD 516,000. Aiming to support the increasing demand for U.S. hardwoods, AHEC has announced its participation at the MumbaiWood show taking place at Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai from September 18 – 20, 2026.
According to the statistics, which have been compiled from the latest data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), total hardwood lumber shipped from the United States to India in the first half of this year increased by 9 percent in value year-on-year to reach USD 6.428 million (up from USD 5.894 million) and by 13 percent in volume to reach 10,362 cubic meters (up from 9,204 cubic meters). In addition, the total value of American hardwood veneers exported to India over the same time period increased by a significant 55 percent to reach USD 516,000 (up from USD 332,000).
A closer look at the numbers for the first half of this year revealed that the top five American hardwood species exported to India were white oak (USD 2.339 million and 3,778m3 ), red oak (USD
1.668 million and 2,632m3), hickory (USD 986,000 and 1,287m 3), ash (USD 412,000 and 725m3) and walnut (USD 389,000 and 331m3). According to AHEC, red and white oak continued to dominate exports to India, accounting for over 60 percent of the value and volume of American hardwood lumber shipped in the first half of this year.
AHEC has also planned an educational seminar on the sidelines of the show in partnership with the Bombay Timber Merchants Association (BTMA). The seminar will focus on all aspects of American hardwoods, including the resource, sustainable forest management, production, kiln-drying, lumber grading and the wide range of species available and will also provide an opportunity for AHEC representatives to reconnect with the leading timber importers, wood processing factories, and furniture designer-makers. The seminar and participation in the show will give AHEC the opportunity to raise awareness of American Hardwood Assured (AHA), which is being developed in order to provide robust assurance of the legal and deforestation-free status of American hardwoods.
“The Indian market for imported temperate hardwoods is developing quickly, and it is vitally important that both AHEC and the U.S. hardwood industry maintain a regular presence there. India
is now readily buying and using American hardwoods with many factors contributing to this change in market dynamics, including the growing and evolving furniture manufacturing sector, the
substantially diminished availability of indigenous hardwood species, a shift to India from China and Vietnam for furniture production for export, as well as rising disposable incomes in India itself. We are extremely confident that India will become a significant market for American hardwoods and our long-term commitment to this market is now stronger than ever,” concluded Roderick Wiles, AHEC Regional Director.
