Good news on the hardwood export front the first four months of the year. Worldwide volume was up 16.7% with each of the four months showing greater volumes than a year ago.

There is a general sense that business slowed down in May and June has also been a quiet month, so it will be interesting to see how the numbers for 2011 stack up at the half-way point. We'll find out in a couple of months as the USDA releases additional data.

This graph should bring a smile to the face of every hardwood exporter. We have surpassed the volumes in 2008.