Argentina and Mexico Take the Timber Orders Brazil Has Lost – Datamar News | 11/08/26

The Brazilian lumber industry is losing market share in the U.S., while Argentina and other competitors are gaining ground in that market, and Brazil is seeking to redirect its exports to destinations such as Mexico, Germany, and Vietnam. During the first half of the year, the decline in Brazilian sales to the U.S. totaled US$351 million across its seven main lumber export categories. Brazilian shipments of pine lumber to that market fell 28% month-over-month in March, while, according to DataLiner, between January and April, lumber exports to the United States declined by 31.2%, compared with increases to Spain (+113%), Colombia (+100.4%), and Mexico (+34.4%). At the same time, Argentina increased its exports of sawn pine by 34.58% during the first half of the year amid a stagnant domestic market, while moldings destined for the United States grew by 16.65% and plywood exports rose by 93.59% compared to the second half of 2025. One of Argentina’s advantages lies in its access to the U.S. market: Argentine moldings face a 10% tariff, compared to cumulative tariffs of 37.5% on Brazilian products. The article notes that Brazil is also losing ground to competitors such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, and Mexico, as trade uncertainty affects contracts and industrial activity. Furthermore, by July, U.S. buyers had already reduced their orders for Brazilian lumber by one-third, reflecting a realignment of the sector’s export markets. Link to Article