The demand for Kentucky’s wood-related exports remained strong internationally in 2024. Kentucky wood-related exports have steadily increased since 2020 to more than $448 million in 2024, an increase of $52 million from 2023 export levels (Figure 10). Wood barrel exports remain the largest wood-related export in Kentucky at more than $266 million in 2024—an increase of $55 million from 2023. Oaks remain very important for the wood export market as the top two wood-related exports from Kentucky come from oak trees: oak barrels and oak lumber ($43 million). Exports of railroad ties cooled slightly to $31 million in 2024. Non-oak hardwood lumber exports were $19.4 million in 2024. Adhesive paper remained steady at $11.7 million, rough oak was down slightly to $9.97 million, while non-oak rough lumber rounded out the top seven wood-related exports at $9.1 million (Figure 11). 

The United Kingdom led all countries in Kentucky wood-related imports at $140 million, followed by Canada at $74 million, and China at $52.6 million (Figure 12). China recently announced it was suspending processing imports of U.S. logs. The European Union’s EUDR Regulation was delayed until the end of 2025 but remains a serious concern to wood manufacturing companies exporting to EU nations. Wood-related exports to our neighbors Canada and Mexico declined slightly to $93 million combined. Time will tell what impacts tariffs, trade wars, and the EUDR will have on Kentucky’s wood-related exports.