Wood Pellet Exports From U.S. South To Europe Set Record High In 2003

Wood pellets grown and produced largely in the U.S. Southeast for export to Europe virtually doubled in 2013 to 3.2 million tons with no slowdown in sight.

The pellets are in strong demand in Europe by electricity producers as a substitute or supplement for coal to fuel power generators with lower carbon emissions into the atmosphere and to meet European Union environmental requirements.  The United Kingdom accounted for 59 percent of the U.S. pellet exports in 2013.

With no slowdown on the horizon, new wood pellet producing plants—mostly in the U.S. South—continue to spring up or are in planning stages.  The bulk of pellet production in this country is in the Southeast, mid-Atlantic, and Gulf regions because of abundant timber supplies and relatively low shipping costs for export to Europe. 

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