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Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture News

Pennsylvania Hardwoods Council Promotes New Export Sales

International Buyers Tour Pennsylvania Companies

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Hardwoods companies may gain greater access to foreign markets and develop new export sales thanks to a series of business meetings with international buyers held this week across northern Pennsylvania, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

"With international hardwood demand shifting, there is tremendous potential in overseas markets for Pennsylvania wood products," said Wolff. "Pennsylvania lumber has gained recognition abroad for its quality and that, coupled with Pennsylvania's leadership in international marketing and relationship-building, has helped our agricultural industry tap into new markets and increase profitability, while growing our economy.

"With the current slump in new building resulting in less domestic demand for lumber, it is more critical than ever to expose foreign buyers to our high quality hardwood products to keep Pennsylvania's hardwoods industry growing," Wolff said.

Sixty Pennsylvania companies met with 15 buyers from nine countries, including France, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, to develop business relationships at the annual Pennsylvania International Hardwood Buyers' Mission. The event was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Hardwoods Development Council, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Regional Export Network, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Through on-site visits, one-on-one business meetings, and a small trade show, companies will market lumber and secondary wood products to international buyers interested in Pennsylvania's superior quality lumber.

In 2007, the mission resulted in projected lumber sales of $6.5 million, secondary wood product sales of $1.25 million, and log sales of $500,000. Pennsylvania leads the nation in hardwood export sales, with nearly $1 billion in international sales of hardwood lumber, furniture, paper and logs.

The Hardwoods Development Council works with state and local governments, as well as private industries, to promote access to resources, expand and develop processing and manufacturing, and promote public knowledge of the hardwoods industry. The council conducts public education projects using the Pennsylvania WoodMobile, a traveling educational display bringing sustainable forest and industry information to people across Pennsylvania.

For more information on the Hardwoods Development Council, including a list of upcoming events and tradeshows, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on "Commissions and Councils" and then "Hardwoods Development Council," or contact Keith Craig at 717-772-3715.

CONTACT: Nicole L. Cullison

(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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