Promoting U.S. Value-Added Solid Wood Product Exports Outreach Brochure


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	PROMOTING U.S. VALUE-ADDED SOLID WOOD PRODUCT EXPORTS
	The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) provides U.S. wood producers, processors, and distributors with market intelligence, assistance and promotion networks to help them compete effectively in a growing world market for value-added solid wood products.

	MARKET INTELLIGENCE Learn what's hot in value added solid wood products markets overseas through FAS attache reports from over 30 countries to help you ...
		Stay current on worldwide developments in the construction, paneling, and furniture input markets,
		Identify the leading growth markets,
		Get the latest supply and demand forecast,
		Acquire export know-how through A Guide to Exporting Solid Wood Products, and
		Discover the latest trade trends in the Wood Products: International Trade and Foreign Markets circulars.

	MARKET ASSISTANCE Explore with FAS forest products specialists the benefits of exporting and ...
		Determine your firm's export readiness,
		Participate in FAS programs for first-time exporters,
		Define barriers to commerce and trade, including overseas standards, codes, and applications,
		Factor in open and hidden costs, from tariffs and taxes to import monopolies and licensing, and
		Assess assistance opportunities through USDA's Export Credit Guarantee Programs.

	MARKET DEVELOPMENT FAS and non-profit wood industry groups called "cooperators" (who commit substantial funding and staff resources) work together to promote U.S. wood product exports. These activities include:
		Sponsoring international trade shows and conferences,
		Offering Export Credit Guarantee Programs and Emerging Markets Programs,
		Providing outreach to state agencies, trade associations, and regional development groups,
		Delivering seminars on U.S. species, grades, and applications to foreign buyers and distributors,
		Training foreign architects, designers, and contractors on U.S. wood product applications and species characteristics,
		Working with foreign officials to change standards and codes to improve access to new markets and customers, and
		Attracting foreign buyers to U.S. products through overseas representatives serving in over 20 country markets.

	THE FIVE FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY PARTNERS ARE:
	AF&PA - The American Forest and Paper Association
	AHEC - The American Hardwood Export Council
	APA - The Engineered Wood Association
	SEC - The Softwood Export Council
	SFPA - The Southern Forest Products Association

	MARKET CONTACTS Working with FAS specialists in Washington and overseas, and industry partner representatives throughout the world, American firms can:
		Acquire cooperator contacts, trade leads, and market updates,
		Learn trade show selection, marketing, and follow-through,
		Find new markets, new contacts, and new long-term trade strategies,
		Participate in FAS-sponsored trade shows and trade missions, and
		Subscribe to FAS Trade Leads and Foreign Buyers' Lists.

	IMPROVING MARKET ACCESS No two buyers are alike and no two country markets are the same. In conjunction with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Commerce, FAS helps negotiate:
		The expansion of market access through the removal of import quotas and the reduction of import tariffs,
		Changes in technical codes and standards that eliminate or mitigate restrictions on the use of U.S. products or wood-based components and technologies,
		The modification of import regulations to allow end-users and processors more direct access to the world market and U.S. goods, and
		The removal of other unfair trade practices and regulations.

	FAS AND THE U.S. INDUSTRY: WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD MARKETS Expanding Market Access ...
		Japanese approval and promotion of three-story multi-family wood frame construction in 1993 and in 1997 for urban areas;
		Japanese recognition of three categories of U.S. grade-marked lumber in 1996-1998;
		Elimination of Korean import ban on U.S. pine lumber in 1994;
		Adoption of a protocol to allow the export of U.S. softwood lumber to the European Union in 1993; and
		Reclassification of Japanese tariffs for glue-laminated lumber to lower duties in 1990 and 1997.

	... And Increasing Export Sales
		One Connecticut firm hired 100 new employees in 1997 just to meet expanding export sales. Using AHEC's trade leads and foreign language brochures, the firm added 11 new overseas markets in 18 months. The company now sells dimension, finger-jointed lumber, and edge-glued panels to 36 overseas markets.
		Despite Japan's economic slump, a softwood industry generic ad campaign funded under USDA's Market Access Program generated over 1,000 inquiries in recent months. A Chicago firm has expanded its production of pressure-treated, southern yellow pine lumber to meet a 10-fold increase in sales to Japan within a year.

	If you are facing barriers in foreign markets trade, commercial, or financial - let FAS know. FAS professionals are prepared to work with you to help address the problems your company is facing in overseas markets.

	For more information on how FFPD can help you export value-added forest products ... CONTACT U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service Commodity and Marketing Programs Forest & Fishery Products Division (FFPD) AG Stop 1047 Washington, DC 20250- 1047 Telephone: 202-720-0638 Fax: 202-720-8461 E-mail: ffpd@fas.usda.gov

	To obtain publications, trade data, trade policy and market development highlights, and information on FAS marketing programs for U.S. value-added solid wood products, visit the Wood Products Web page at http://www.fas.usda.gov/ffpd/forest.asp For more general export assistance from FAS, visit the following web site hhttp://www.fas.usda.gov/agx/export_programs/export_programs.asp

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.