US imports of softwood and hardwood plywood raised in the first quarter of 2006, according to the USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). US softwood plywood imports increased 21.2% to 488,925 m3 (USD 137.4 million, up 31%) while hardwood plywood imports rose 15.2% to 927,214 m3 (USD 368.1 million, up 19%). Most hardwood plywood imports came from China (368,477 m3, up 48.5%), Malaysia (155,467 m3, up 22.5%), Indonesia (106,983 m3, down 11.5%), Russia (103,941 m3, up 9%) and Brazil (50,307 m3, down 33%). Malaysian and Russian hardwood plywood suppliers have been able to expand their deliveries again, while suppliers from Indonesia and Brazil delivered less hardwood plywood than in the same period last year. (Source: ITTOs Tropical Timber Market Report)