Fibreboard market in Belarus

Earlier Report Observations

Fibreboard production in Belarus rose to 2 190 thousand m³ in 2019, boosted by the Mozyr woodworking plant nearly doubling its output of insulation fibreboard under the state 'Belarusian Forest' program. Output then declined to 1 922 thousand m³ in 2020, even as government promotion helped exports grow slightly. By 2021, exports surged 81.3% to 1 068 thousand m³, with the European Union remaining the primary destination.

In 2022, EU sanctions on Belarusian timber and the introduction of licensing for fibreboard imports from the EU disrupted trade flows: exports plummeted to 626 thousand m³ as producers reoriented toward markets in Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. These protective measures, alongside reduced import competition, contributed to domestic market growth, which reached 1 384 thousand m³ in 2022 and 1 535 thousand m³ in 2023, while production stabilized around 1 900 thousand m³.

Production fibreboard in Belarus

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Belarus was among the world's top ten fibreboard producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume.

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Belarus's fibreboard production declined in 2020. The country produced 1 922 thousand cubic meters of fibreboard that year, representing a 12.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 8.6%, averaging 2.8% growth per year. Production peaked in 2019 at 2 190 thousand cubic meters, while the strongest annual growth occurred in 2018 with a 15.9% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of expansion, fibreboard production in Belarus contracted in 2020. The output was valued at 605.9 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 13.1% decline from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 3.8%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 696.9 thousand US dollars, with the largest yearly rise occurring in 2018 at 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belarus in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports fibreboard from Belarus

Exports in kind, M m³

Belarus's fibreboard export volume grew for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 680.2 million cubic meters of fibreboard, showing a modest 4.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 47.3%, averaging 13.8% annual growth.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine emerged as the primary markets for Belarus's fibreboard exports by volume. Poland accounted for 28.4% of exports, Russia for 27.7%, and Ukraine for 22.6%. Together, these three countries represented 78.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belarus's fibreboard export value increased for the third year in a row in 2020. Exports totaled 214.4 million US dollars, reflecting a controlled 3.9% year-on-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 40.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Russia, Poland, and Ukraine were the three principal markets for Belarus's fibreboard exports by value, collectively accounting for 75.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fibreboard to Belarus

Imports in kind, M m³

Belarus imported 97.9 million cubic meters of fibreboard in 2020, a 10.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 23.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 4.9%, while the strongest growth was recorded in 2018 with a 17.7% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belarus in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Poland dominated Belarus's fibreboard imports by volume, jointly representing 80.8% of total import flows, with the remainder going to other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Belarus imported fibreboard worth 48.6 million US dollars in 2020, a 5.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The largest annual decrease was in 2019 at 4.1%, while the highest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia, Poland, and Germany formed the key group of partners for Belarus's fibreboard imports by value. Russia accounted for 56.2% of import value, Poland for 21.2%, and Germany for 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented 85.2% of total import flows.

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

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