Brazil\u2019s timber industry is accelerating efforts to diversify export markets as weaker US demand, geopolitical instability and rising competition continue to pressure overseas sales in 2026.<\/p>\n
The shift is becoming increasingly visible in Europe, where Brazilian companies are seeking new partnerships and market access through trade missions and industry events focused on sustainable wood products.<\/p>\n
A group of Brazilian timber companies will travel to France in June for Carrefour International du Bois 2026 in Nantes, one of Europe\u2019s largest wood industry trade fairs, as part of an export promotion initiative organised by Brazil\u2019s National Confederation of Industry (CNI) together with ApexBrasil and regional industry federations.<\/p>\n
The programme targets European markets including France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, where demand for sustainable construction materials and engineered wood products remains relatively strong.<\/p>\n
The initiative comes at a difficult moment for Brazil\u2019s timber exporters.<\/p>\n
According to WoodFlow data based on ComexStat figures, Brazilian timber exports recovered slightly in March, with shipment volumes rising 2% and export values increasing 9% compared with February. But first-quarter performance remained weak overall, with export volumes down 16% and export values down 20% compared with the same period in 2025.<\/p>\n
The sector continues to operate in what exporters describe as a cautious and uncertain environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, currency volatility and weaker demand in traditional markets.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarch started with expectations of a recovery in shipments to the United States after tariff reductions there,\u201d said WoodFlow CEO Gustavo Milazzo. \u201cBut inside the factories, activity is still cautious because of geopolitical uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United States, historically the largest market for Brazilian timber exports, is beginning to lose dominance in several product segments.<\/p>\n
Exports of Brazilian pine sawnwood to the US fell to US$8.1 million in March, down 28% from February. Mexico overtook the United States as the leading destination for the product during the month, importing US$11.2 million.<\/p>\n
The same diversification trend is emerging in plywood exports.<\/p>\n
Although the US remains the largest market for Brazilian pine plywood, shipments to European countries have increased steadily since the start of the year. Exports to Germany rose from US$5 million in January to US$7.1 million in March, while Swedish imports increased from US$0.8 million to US$2.5 million over the same period.<\/p>\n
Mexico also expanded purchases sharply, rising from US$3.5 million to US$5.3 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at the list of buyers, it is possible to see that our products are finding new destinations,\u201d Milazzo said.<\/p>\n
Vietnam has also emerged as a growing buyer of Brazilian pine sawnwood, importing US$5.4 million in March compared with US$3.1 million in January.<\/p>\n
The pressure on Brazilian exporters has intensified since US tariffs sharply reduced the competitiveness of Brazilian products in the American market.<\/p>\n
Total Brazilian timber exports to the United States fell to US$18.9 million in March 2026, down dramatically from US$66.8 million in March 2025 and marking the lowest monthly value since November last year.<\/p>\n
At the same time, instability in the Middle East has disrupted another important outlet for Brazilian timber producers.<\/p>\n
The region had become an increasingly important destination for Brazilian pine sawnwood after shipments to the US weakened. But the conflict involving Iran caused a sharp decline in exports during February and March.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia reduced imports of Brazilian pine sawnwood from US$6.7 million in January to US$2.7 million in March. Exports to the United Arab Emirates fell even more sharply, declining from US$6.5 million to just US$1 million during the same period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact of the war on exports to the Middle East was immediate,\u201d Milazzo said.<\/p>\n
The combination of weaker US demand, Middle East instability and higher logistics costs is forcing Brazilian producers to rethink export strategies more aggressively than in previous years.<\/p>\n
Even after the reduction of US tariffs to 10%, exporters continue to face strong competition from suppliers with logistical advantages closer to key markets.<\/p>\n
Freight costs remain elevated, while exchange-rate movements have reduced margins for many Brazilian producers at the same time production costs continue to rise.<\/p>\n
Against that backdrop, Europe is becoming increasingly important not only as an alternative market, but as part of a longer-term diversification strategy.<\/p>\n
Carrefour International du Bois is expected to provide Brazilian exporters with direct access to European buyers, architects, distributors and construction companies increasingly focused on sustainable sourcing and lower-carbon building materials.<\/p>\n
The 2024 edition of the event attracted more than 13,500 visitors, 637 exhibitors and companies from 40 countries.<\/p>\n
Brazilian industry groups hope the mission will help position the country as a competitive supplier of sawnwood, plywood, engineered wood products and timber construction materials at a time when European buyers are actively reviewing supply chains.<\/p>\n
The strategy also reflects broader expectations that the long-discussed Mercosur-European Union trade agreement could eventually improve market access for Brazilian wood products across Europe.<\/p>\n
For many exporters, diversification is no longer optional.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":98652,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5204,5812],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news","category-global-trends","area-global","area-south-america"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n