Fibreboard market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The fibreboard market in Central Asia expanded from 567 thousand m³ in 2018 to 767 thousand m³ in 2023, despite a temporary 13% contraction in 2020 caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and reduced demand. The market had initially surged to 695 thousand m³ in 2019, supported by increased import volumes and new players entering the construction materials sector.

After the pandemic, the market recovered to 690 thousand m³ in 2021 and continued growing, reaching 765 thousand m³ in 2023. This sustained expansion was fueled by a steady rise in imports, which climbed from 521 thousand m³ to 740 thousand m³ over the period, while domestic production stabilized around 47 thousand m³ after a decline from its 2019 peak. The entry of new competitors and broader adoption of digital tools helped improve logistics and supply chain efficiency during these years.

The period from 2021 to 2023 saw the market absorb global trade uncertainties, including sanctions that reshaped traditional supply routes, without losing momentum. Imports remained the dominant source of supply, enabling consumption growth even as local production held steady.

Production fibreboard in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 12.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central Asia produced 66 540 m³ of fibreboard, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. The maximum production volume was recorded in 2019 at 66 731 m³. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 961.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports fibreboard from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K m³

Export volumes experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.6-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Central Asia exported 8.9 K m³ of fibreboard, representing a solid drop of 24.2% from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11.7 K m³. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 267.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia clearly led the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 4.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Central Asia's fibreboard export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Central Asia exported 4.0 M $ US of fibreboard, up by 22.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 195.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 43.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia and Afghanistan continued to lead the list of markets for fibreboard exports from Central Asia in value terms, together accounting for 6.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fibreboard to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of gains, fibreboard shipments to Central Asia from abroad declined. In 2020, Central Asia imported approximately 548.4 K m³ of fibreboard, indicating a strong fall of 14.2% year-over-year. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 639.4 K m³. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with growth of 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the dominant source for imports in kind, with a share of 79.9% of total import flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, foreign fibreboard supplies to Central Asia declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 218.0 M $ US, which is 16.4% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 24.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.5%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 260.7 M $ US. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 27.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the main destination for imports in value terms, taking 75.6% of total import flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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