Saudi Arabia recorded a 24 per cent increase in imports of softwood lumber between January and July of 2015 compared with the same period of 2014, a study by Woodstat, a statistics firm that keeps tabs on the lumber and forestry industries worldwide, shows.
The increase was attributed by Dubai WoodShow to construction growth and household wooden furniture demand in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia imports 1.07 million cu m of the product from main European and North American exporters. A Euromonitor international report predicted wood production revenue will achieve 64 per cent growth until 2018, amid rising demand from the construction industry and households in the kingdom.
“This increase indicates a strong demand in the Saudi construction sector as well as the household and offices furniture,” said Dawood Al Shezawi, CEO, Strategic Marketing & Exhibitions, organisers of the Dubai WoodShow. “The domestic demand for wood and wood products registered strong growth to cross SR11 billion ($2.93 billion). We are gearing up to see major deals at the next edition of Dubai WoodShow from Saudi exhibitors and we also anticipate a huge turnout of Saudi trade visitors.”
The event is expected to attract a wide range of trade visitors from April 4 to 6 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Al Shezawi emphasised that traditionally the Dubai WoodShow attracted thousands of Saudi trade visitors who look at it as a close venue to have access to wood products and accessories of topmost quality. The show will feature key innovations in the timber industry including modern technologies and products related to wood processing such as mortising, tenoning, treenailing, beveling, gluing and inlaying.
“Lumber is usually cut from a tree at any stage to be mainly used in construction and paper. The Dubai WoodShow will be a perfect platform for suppliers, manufacturers and machinery companies to showcase their products, innovative technologies, production scenarios and large-scale machinery to key players in the wood and woodworking machinery industry in the Middle East and North Africa region,” said Al Shezawi.
According to the official, Saudi Arabia is looking to open up products of all types of wood including hardwood, softwood, fabricated wood boards, bendy plywood, laminated planks, and treated woods. Manufacturers will be able to search for the latest innovations in wood machinery over three days.
The 11th edition is set to put on display all kinds of softwood products made of cedar, fir, pine and redwood as well as hardwood products made of ash, birch, cherry, mahogany, maple, oak, poplar, teak, and walnut.
