U.S. Hardwood Industry Economic Impact 

In 2019, the Hardwood Federation released the first national survey of the economic impact of the U.S. Hardwood Industry.  Based on 2016-2017 data, the most recent available at the time, the report showed the significant impact generated by the domestic manufacture of hardwood products.  (2017 Report)

The report was updated in 2025, using 2022 federal economic census data; again the most recently available data.  As in 2019, the data showed significant economic impact of the industry on the national as a whole as well as in individual states. (2022 Report)

Unfortunately, between 2022 and 2025, the U.S. hardwood industry faced serious challenges to the viability of hardwood sawmills, lumber and concentration yards, and manufacturing facilities.  Competition from competing products like laminates and vinyl tiles and trade disputes impacting global markets have contributed to declining domestic and international demand.  

To reflect the realities of the current time, the 2025 work was supplemented by a look at the impacts of these challenges between 2022 and 2025.  The additional analysis found that adverse impacts on the U.S. hardwood industry include:

>Hardwood exports product exports decreased $930 million from 2022 to 2024.

• Hardwood lumber exports fell 20% or $663 million.
• Hardwood veneer exports decreased 15% or $58 million.
• Hardwood log exports declined 11% or $209 million.

>The hardwood industry lost 40,000 jobs (down 10%) from 2022 to 2024.

>Hardwood lumber production decreased 29% or 4.9 million cubic meters.

>Hardwood composite prices declined 20% or $226 MBF (1,000 board feet).

>Hardwood lumber PPI fell 9% from 2022 to 2024.

The Supplemental Report may be viewed here.