By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz is restricting imports to the rapidly growing timber markets in the Middle East and northern Africa, according to an indusattempt outlet, but impacts on the Arkansas timber indusattempt will likely be minimal, stated Matthew Pelkki.
Pelkki is a professor and George H. Clippert Chair of Foresattempt at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and director of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business. He’s also part of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The Middle Eastern and North African Market — or MENA — region has become a growing market for timber exporters, especially Russia, according to indusattempt news outlet Wood Central. Russia shipped 1.7 million cubic meters of lumber there in 2024. The American Hardwood Export Council stated U.S. hardwood lumber shipments to MENA rose 11 percent during the first six months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
“Arkansas sfinishs about 17 percent of its production of wood out of state,” he stated on Thursday. “Most goes to mills in surrounding states, especially Louisiana.
“As far as internationally, our largest customer for Arkansas wood products is Mexico,” Pelkki stated. “We do ship some hardwoods to the European Union, primarily Germany, and a lot of wood pellets to the United Kingdom.”
Some hardwoods and logs finish up in Vietnam as well, he stated.
“While the Middle Eastern and North African Market has grown substantially, it is still a tiny component of U.S. wood exports,” Pelkki stated.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. exports $8.75 billion in wood products.
Canada is the top destination, valued at $1.96 billion. The United Kingdom is second at $1.68 billion, and the European Union is third at $881 million. None of the Middle Eastern or North African nations is in the top 10.
However, “any loss or reduction of U.S. hardwood exports is going to cautilize prices for lumber to stagnate or drop, and as prices and quantity of those hardwoods decrease, it will have an effect on demand for hardwood timber,” Pelkki stated. “But I consider at this time, the effect of the war on Arkansas’ hardwood sawmills and forest landowners will be minimal.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the College of Foresattempt, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Foresattempt, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings toreceiveher interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Foresattempt, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land-grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three camputilizes.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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