USA: Due to its close proximity, the U.S. has historically been our primary market. However, as housing starts began to slow after 2005, exports to the U.S began to decline, and B.C. actively made efforts to diversify its overseas markets. Today, 53% of B.C. forest products go to the U.S.

China: In an effort to diversify our markets, B.C. has successfully established China as the largest offshore market for our forest products, with the value and volume of products to China increasing 20 fold since 2003. Today, almost one quarter of all B.C forest products go to China. Through Canada Wood COFI has a presence in two offices in China (Shanghai and Beijing) to support market outreach and development.

Japan: Japan has a long history of importing Canadian lumber. Today, Japan is Canada’s second largest overseas lumber market, and Canada is Japan’s largest supplier of softwood lumber. Japan builds over 100,000 wood frame homes and approximately 350,000 traditional Japanese styled post and beam wooden homes per year. Due to a decrease in single family homes and Japan’s aging population, the demand for wood use in apartment buildings and elderly care housing is growing. COFI supports this important market through its Tokyo office of Canada Wood.

South Korea: The South Korean market continues to grow in both volume and diversity of the products it imports. Housing starts in Korea are increasing at a rate of 5% annually while wood housing starts are increasing at a rate of 10%. B.C. remains Korea’s largest supplier of softwood lumber products, primarily structural products, exterior envelope products, and value-added products. COFI maintains a Seoul office of Canada Wood.

Europe: Europe is British Columbia’s fifth largest overseas market after China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Through the Canada Wood office in the United Kingdom, COFI closely monitors codes and standards as well as providing support to industry, trade, specifiers, designers and the public.

India: There is growing opportunity for B.C. forest products in India, which is the world’s fastest growing economy. Although lumber shipments to India are small, export figures are increasing rapidly in this market. COFI is working to promote trade with India and expects that India will become a major market for B.C. forest products.