Pellet exports from North America rose in the 3Q/14 after a stable first half of the year that could be characterized as a temporary plateau, according to a report this week by Wood Resources International, Seattle, Wash., USA. While pellet exports to Europe were up just marginally, the increase to Asia was more noticeable. Up until 2014, more than 95% of wood pellets leaving U.S. and Canadian ports were destined for Europe. 

However, during 2014 there was a shift in Canadian exports from Europe to Asia, with pellet plants in British Columbia shipping record volumes to South Korea during the 3Q/14, as reported in the North American Wood Fiber Review (NAWFR). (Note: due to irregularities with Customs data, NAWFR collects trade data from a number of sources including Canadian and U.S. customs export data, European import data, and from quarterly conversations with both pellet exporters and port contacts.) 

Total Canadian overseas pellet exports rose slightly in the 3Q/14 from the previous quarter, but they were still 15% below their high of over half a million tons in the last quarter of 2013. Shipments from both Western and Eastern Canada to Europe fell in the first three quarters of 2014. In the 3Q/14, shipments were at their lowest level since 2011. Export volumes for the Asian market have followed a more positive trend, with increased shipments for six consecutive quarters. 

British Columbia’s pellet shipments overseas will likely remain stable during most of 2015 until the first of five announced pellet mills starts commercial operation late in 2015 or early 2016. There are currently plans to add more than 800,000 tons of pellet capacity in the province during 2015/16 with South Korea being the target market. 

In the U.S., pellet exports continue to be dominated by bulk shipments out of the U.S. South to Europe, with only minor container volumes primarily shipped from the U.S. West Coast to Asia. The U.S. overseas pellet exports rose to more than 1 million tons in the 3Q/14, with the growth in shipments having continued without pause since late in 2011.

More information is available online.