Fibreboard market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The North American fibreboard market's physical volume declined from 7 908 тыс. м³ in 2018 to 6 082 тыс. м³ in 2023, while its value increased from $2 309 млн to $2 636 млн. This shift was initially influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted demand for home office furniture like desks and shelves, supporting market value even as supply chain disruptions affected physical availability.

Stricter U.S. EPA environmental regulations pushed the industry toward low-formaldehyde and sustainable products. Consumer preference for formaldehyde-free MDF grew by 28% from 2021, accelerating the transition to higher-value segments. Technological advances in adhesives and fibre recovery systems raised production efficiency by 25% since 2018, helping manufacturers adapt to these new standards.

The market diversified into standard, moisture-resistant, and fire-resistant segments, all of which expanded. Over 35 major production facilities in states such as North Carolina and Mississippi, coupled with investments in automation and capacity, maintained industry output despite global raw material cost volatility and logistical delays that pressured physical volumes in 2022.

Production fibreboard in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern America's fibreboard production saw its largest increase of 3.3%. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 7 348 K m³, marking a significant 10.1% contraction compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Northern America's fibreboard production value rebounded in 2020, reaching 1 986 M $ US, a modest gain of 2.3% over 2019. The lowest value during this period was recorded in 2019 at 1 940 M $ US, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 25.7% decrease. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 34.4%, averaging an annualized decline of 13.1%.

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

Exports fibreboard from Northern America

Exports in kind, K m³

After two years of growth, Northern America's fibreboard export volume declined in 2020, reaching 1 246 K m³, down 14.0% from 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 449 K m³, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 35.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 37.4%, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the leading buyer of fibreboard from Northern America, accounting for 0.6% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern America's fibreboard export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 336.7 M $ US, a 2.2% decrease from 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 349.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 11.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 7.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United Kingdom and France were key destinations for Northern America's fibreboard exports in value terms, together accounting for 2.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fibreboard to Northern America

Imports in kind, K m³

Northern America's fibreboard import volume declined for the third straight year in 2020, standing at 663 K m³, a 16.8% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 49.7%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 20.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of fibreboard to Northern America in volume terms were distributed across multiple countries. Germany accounted for 20.2% of imports, China for 18.9%, and Austria for 9.6%, with these three partners together making up 48.6% of total flows, indicating no single dominant supplier.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Fibreboard imports to Northern America declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 347.6 M $ US, a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 18.6%, with a compound annual decline rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of fibreboard to Northern America in value terms were widely dispersed among partner countries. Germany represented 19.2% of imports, China 18.5%, and Austria 7.1%, with these three together comprising 44.8% of total flows, reflecting a diverse supplier base.

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

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