It is also relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective material for furniture makers. The rugged, yet lightweight nature of pine wood makes it an ideal choice for this purpose. In addition to the use of lumber for concrete forming, upholstered furniture manufacturers in Jamaica use a significant amount of lumber to build the skeleton of household furniture. This is why lumber is still a major part of the building process in Jamaica, despite its high cost the past two years. While the cost of lumber is high, the importers noted it is essential for the construction of homes in Jamaica, as it is used in almost every step of the process. The wood is used to create the forms that are used to shape and contain freshly poured concrete until it sets. Most of the lumber imported into Jamaica is used for concrete forming. For one, the government subsidizes these types of homes for low-income families and are not seen as a desirable option for those looking to buy a home. In Jamaica, houses made of 100% wood are not popular for many reasons. Most participants indicated they would prefer to use concrete for the roofs of their homes, as it is more durable and less prone to damage from natural disasters. They cited the significant rise in the price of lumber the past two years and the increased danger of hurricane damage as the main reasons for this shift. Participants indicated the trend of using concrete for roofing is now more widespread. Rasheeda Hall-Hanson, USDA/FAS’s Agricultural Specialist posted in Kingston provided the welcome remarks at the events. The Seminars: What the Consultants LearnedĪ total of 35 key contacts registered for the seminars 20 participants for the event in Kingston and 15 participants for the event in Montego Bay. Hence, the speakers’ emphasis on building practices for high wind events and earthquakes. industry faces in the market is competition from alternative building materials and mistrust of wood-frame construction in an area prone to hurricanes. Like elsewhere in the Caribbean, the biggest barrier the U.S. faces very little competition from alternative suppliers, such as Brazil, Chile, and Honduras. The market has long been a mainstay for U.S. Wood is primarily used in concrete forming, interior joinery, and some construction applications – primarily roof purlins.Įxports to the region reached an all-time record in 2021 to $271.4 and are on track for near record levels in 2022. Exports of preservatively treated lumber are significant given the country’s harsh tropical environment and widespread presence of termites. Exports in 2022 are on track to reach $39 million, a near record. softwood lumber, valued at nearly $42 million in 2021. Jamaica is the sixth-largest export market for U.S. In such markets that are more accustomed to masonry construction, continuous efforts are needed to ensure the correct structural application of wood products, especially considering the threat of tropical weather and other frequent high wind events in the region. There remains some misunderstanding of wood-frame construction practices and selecting the proper grades and sizes for the application. has a dominant share of these markets, it is facing competition from alternative building materials such as concrete and steel. Shipments through November 2022 were down slightly but remain near record levels. ![]() Exports have since rebounded, reaching a record of $271.4 million in 2021. Shipments returned to normal levels in 2019-20 as rebuilding efforts were completed. Exports to the region reached a record $236 million in 2018 because of the rebuilding after widespread hurricane damage that year. ![]() ![]() The Caribbean is the highest-volume export market for the Southern Pine lumber industry. SFPA consultants Kerlin Drake, president of Kerlin Drake Consulting Jerry Hingle, president of International Trade Associates and Lon Sibert, president of Renewable Resource Associates, provided updated information on the selection and use of Southern Pine from the United States, wood grades, choosing the correct treated wood, proper wood-frame construction practices, and other topics of interest at the two sessions in Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica. ![]() That’s why the Southern Forest Products Association presented two in-person seminars on the use of Southern Pine in Jamaica in December. Did you know Southern Pine lumber, produced from timber grown in the Southern U.S., accounts for nearly all lumber shipments to the Caribbean, and a sizeable share of lumber consumed in the region is preservatively treated?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |