Fibreboard market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The fibreboard market in the Americas experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 23.1 million m³ in 2018, market volume contracted sharply to 17.5 million m³ in 2019 and further to 17.0 million m³ in 2020. A notable recovery occurred in 2021, with the market expanding to 20.6 million m³. This growth was driven by increasing consumer preference for eco-friendly and low-emission MDF boards, which spurred a 28% rise in demand for formaldehyde-free MDF since 2021, supported by environmental regulations and shifting consumer behavior.

The market then faced a substantial decline in 2022, dropping to 13.6 million m³, before stabilizing at 13.7 million m³ in 2023. Throughout this period, underlying industry trends included the influence of environmental standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a broader shift toward sustainable building materials. The introduction of RFID sensors for traceability in wooden packaging and voluntary specifications like ANSI A208.2 for MDF reflected ongoing efforts to meet regulatory and consumer demands.

Structural developments also shaped the market landscape, with new entrants such as Homanit announcing a $250 million investment to establish an MDF manufacturing plant in South Carolina. Major players like Arauco expanded their North American presence, while demand from construction, furniture manufacturing, and interior decoration sectors continued to drive long-term interest in fibreboard products, despite short-term volumetric volatility.

Production fibreboard in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

Fibreboard production in the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 15 593 K m³, showing minimal change from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 927 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 4.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 4.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports fibreboard from Americas

Exports in kind, K m³

Fibreboard exports from the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 1 861 K m³, marking a 25.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 30%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 168 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, fibreboard from the Americas was exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Israel, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea—collectively accounted for only 3.2% of total exports in volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Fibreboard exports from the Americas declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 868.3 M US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 924.9 M US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of fibreboard from the Americas in value terms were Israel (1.1% of exports), the United Kingdom (0.8%), and South Africa (0.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 2.4% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Americas in value, 2017-2020

Imports fibreboard to Americas

Imports in kind, K m³

Fibreboard imports to the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3 259 K m³, representing a 27.1% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 96%, equating to an annualized rate of 65.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, China and Germany remained the largest sources of fibreboard imports to the Americas in volume, jointly accounting for 26.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Fibreboard imports to the Americas declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports amounted to 763.5 M US dollars, which is 9.9% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 889.3 M US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for fibreboard imports to the Americas in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. China (15.8% of imports), Germany (15.3%), and Austria (5.0%) together accounted for 36.2% of total flows, while the remaining 63.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Americas in value, 2017-2020