Fibreboard market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

The Brazilian fibreboard market expanded significantly from 3.5 thousand m³ in 2018 to 6.7 thousand m³ in 2021. This growth was initially driven by the recovery of the wood industry, supported by government stimulus policies, and rising domestic demand for short-rotation reforested wood used in MDF and fibreboard production. The strengthening of the US dollar also enhanced the competitiveness of Brazilian wood exports, influencing trade flows.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2022, with the market volume contracting to 4.6 thousand m³. This decline was primarily due to a marked drop in domestic consumption for wood panels, linked to economic pressures and high inflation, coupled with a concurrent increase in exports which reduced domestic availability. Rising wood fibre costs further pressured production margins. A partial recovery to 5.0 thousand m³ followed in 2023, amidst industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions and the operational start of the LD Celulose joint venture, which expanded the wood fibre value chain.

Production fibreboard in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Globally, Brazil ranked as the third-largest producer of fibreboard from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of fibreboard, 2018-2021

World map of production of fibreboard, 2018-2021

Brazil's fibreboard production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 7 175 K m³ of fibreboard, marking a 15.2% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 45.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Exports fibreboard from Brazil

Exports in kind, K m³

After two years of decline, Brazil's fibreboard exports rebounded in 2021, reaching 878 K m³, which is 9.5% higher than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 45.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 802 K m³, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 44.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia were notable buyers of Brazilian fibreboard, accounting for 21.7%, 20.1%, and 7.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share of 49.5% did not dominate the export market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Brazil's fibreboard export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 266.4 M $ US, up 38.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 186.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia contributed the most to Brazil's fibreboard export value, with shares of 33.0%, 19.6%, and 6.2%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 58.9% of total export flows in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports fibreboard to Brazil

Imports in kind, K m³

The fibreboard import market in Brazil showed an unstable trend from 2018 to 2021. In 2021, imports reached 400 K m³, a dramatic increase of 1 968.4% compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 19 K m³, resulting in a 21-fold difference between the peak in 2021 and the trough in 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 85.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Bolivia, Austria, and Spain were the leading sources of fibreboard imports to Brazil in kind, with shares of 37.1%, 18.1%, and 14.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 69.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, Brazil's fibreboard import value rose in 2021, reaching 7.2 M $ US, a 56.8% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4.6 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, no single market dominated Brazil's fibreboard imports in value terms. France, Poland, and Spain were the top contributors, with shares of 21.6%, 15.2%, and 10.8%, respectively, but their combined total of 47.5% left room for many smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021