In contrast to the marked rise in US exports of hardwood logs over the past years, export figures for

the first quarter indicate a trend reversal. Exports for the Jan-March period 2002 amounted to

626,262 cubic metres compared to 683,656 cubic metres Jan.-March in 2001, representing an 8%

drop. According to the US Department of Commerce, Foreign Agriculture Service log exports to

Canadian and European buyers has dropped sharply while exports to most Asian countries had

seen positive growth. France was the only European country where US hardwood log exports had

grown. Supplies to the French markets increased by 33% to 6,828 cubic metres (2000: 5,149 cubic

metres). Exports of US hardwood logs increased most markedly to China, Hong Kong and Korea.

While China and Hong Kong absorbed 23,586 cubic metres (plus 47%) and 22,425 cubic metres