The Economic Impact of Tennessee Forest Product Exports in 2024
Here is the UT Extension Institute of Agriculture report (W1395): The Economic Impact of Tennessee Forest Product Exports in 2024.
https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/2026/05/W1395.pdf
This report examines the economic impact of Tennessee’s forest product exports, and analyzes export changes in 2024, while considering destination countries (e.g., China, European Union) and product categories (e.g., oak lumber, hardwood logs, barrels). Additionally, it evaluates the overall economic impact of export sales on income and employment at the state level.
In brief, here are the main highlights from 2024.
Tennessee’s forest product exports experienced a moderate rebound, reaching $184 million, a 22.8 percent increase over 2023. This growth contrasts with flat U.S. exports overall. A major highlight was the rise of casks and barrels, which became the state’s largest export at nearly $68 million, surpassing oak lumber for the first time. Oak lumber exports increased modestly to $55 million.
Export markets continued to shift in 2024. China, once Tennessee’s dominant buyer, dropped to a record low of $24 million, a 6 percent decline from the previous year and an 83 percent plunge compared with 2017 before the first trade war. Meanwhile, the UK surpassed China to become Tennessee’s top export destination. Other countries showing notable growth included Ireland, Vietnam, Canada, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, the U.A.E. and South Africa. Panama, in particular, saw exports more than double due to increased demand for casks and barrels likely for aged rum production.
Overall, Tennessee’s export growth generated an estimated $334 million in total economic impact and supported more than 1,300 jobs, with sawmills and pallet manufacturing benefiting most.
