Fibreboard market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The fibreboard market in MERCOSUR experienced strong growth from 2018 to 2021, with volume rising from 4 138 thousand cubic meters to 7 431 thousand cubic meters. This expansion was followed by a significant contraction in 2022, when the market size dropped to 5 384 thousand cubic meters.

A recovery began in 2023 as the market reached 5 754 thousand cubic meters. This upturn was driven by rising demand for medium-density fibreboard in residential and commercial construction, supported by ongoing urbanization and demographic growth across the region.

During this period, the market was also affected by MERCOSUR's implementation of technical regulations and labeling requirements for wood-based fibre and particle boards, which standardized trade and commercialization within the bloc.

Production fibreboard in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

MERCOSUR's fibreboard production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 6 752 K m³ of fibreboard, marking a 16.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MERCOSUR's fibreboard production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 687 M $ US, representing a 36.8% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 44.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 13.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 981 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year, with a drop of 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports fibreboard from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, K m³

Fibreboard exports from MERCOSUR have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 795 K m³, showing a significant decline of 14.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.3%, with an average annual decline of 11.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 253 K m³, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 26.1% decrease. In contrast, the biggest increase was recorded in 2018, with an 8.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for MERCOSUR's fibreboard exports in volume were Mexico (24.4% of exports), the United States (20.3%), and Colombia (7.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 51.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, fibreboard shipments from MERCOSUR to foreign markets have rebounded. In 2020, exports were valued at 198.7 M $ US, reflecting a slight increase of 0.9% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 20.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 196.9 M $ US, and the largest drop occurred that year with a 12.1% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (29.1% of exports by value), Mexico (20.1%), and Colombia (5.8%) remained the top buyers of fibreboard from MERCOSUR. Collectively, they represented 55.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fibreboard to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, K m³

Foreign fibreboard supplies to MERCOSUR have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 98 K m³, indicating a notable fall of 15.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 64.1%, with an average annual decline of 28.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, imports of fibreboard to MERCOSUR in volume were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Austria (32.3% of imports), China (6.7%), and Germany (5.6%) together accounted for only 44.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, fibreboard deliveries to MERCOSUR have shown an uptick. In 2020, imports totaled 39.9 M $ US, with no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 39.7 M $ US, and the largest drop occurred that year with a 24.0% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for fibreboard imports by value. Germany (14.0% of imports), China (11.5%), and Austria (7.6%) together represented only 33.1% of total imports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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