Texas trade in forest products industry

Abstract

Texas boasts abundant forest resources, providing substantial economic and ecological benefits statewide. This study examines the trends in forest product trade within Texas over the past two decades, focusing on key disruptions during this period. The analysis categorizes the forest products industry into two main markets: solid wood and paper and pulp, further dividing the industry into five core sectors. The findings indicate that Texas operates as a net importer of solid wood and wood furniture products while serving as a net exporter of wood pulp and, paper and paperboard products. Both import and export values have generally shown a gradual increase over time. Notably, Mexico emerged as Texas’s primary trade partner for both imports and exports in 2023. Additionally, Texas ranks as the second-largest exporter of paper and paperboard products nationally while also being the second-largest importer of solid wood products and wood furniture products. The study highlights the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on Texas’s trade dynamics, emphasizing the crucial need for ongoing monitoring of trade policies and international relationships. These factors have the potential to exert significant influence on Texas’s trade landscape in the foreseeable future.