The market for United States staves, barrels and wood chips in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and other South American wine industries is expanding. With growing exports and domestic sales increasing, wineries need to import larger quantities of quality wood products and accessories. The popularity of U.S. barrels, staves and wood chips have increased in wineries over the last few years, most notably with white oak. White oak from the southern U.S. states is growing most popular due to lower cost, availability and quality. In 2005, imports by South American countries for cooperage products totaled over $6 million, almost a quarter of an increase from the previous year.  U.S. exports of white oak products to Chile valued at over $4 million and almost $1 million in Argentina. The value of cooperage products, such as casks, barrels, vats or white oak wood, has risen at a healthy rate since 2001 and the upward growth trend should continue.