U.S. hardwood lumber exports set records for volume and value so far this year, in October 2014 reaching at 154 million board feet and $219 million.

Volume was up 9% from the prior month and 8% ahead of October 2013. Ash and Hickory exports set one-month records in October, and it was the second strongest month ever for Red Oak exports.

Year-to-date export volume was up 14% through October and will easily set a record for the year. Export value was up 28% through October to $1.97 billion, surpassing the 2013 full-year record of $1.86 billion.

U.S. hardwood log exports were 42% higher this October than last—the fourth straight month in which shipments were at least 40% higher than the same month one year earlier—and year-to-date shipments were 32% ahead of last year’s pace.

In December, shipments to Europe and Latin American slowed for the holidays, while most Asian markets remained fairly active.

Importantly, buyers throughout the world, especially Europe, said the U.S. dollar’s rise against most currencies has started to have bigger impacts on demand than in prior months. Labor disputes at ports on the U.S. West Coast forced some U.S. exporters to use Canadian ports.