Market research

Fibreboard market in South Korea

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The South Korean fibreboard market reached 201.5 million m³ in 2018, driven by increasing demand for sustainable building materials and a thriving furniture industry that utilized MDF for its versatility and cost efficiency. Subsequently, market volume declined over the next two years, dropping to 133.8 million m³ in 2020.

After 2020, the market stabilized at approximately 123-126 million m³ in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, volume rebounded to 146.5 million m³, coinciding with growing construction activity in emerging economies and technological progress in MDF manufacturing that improved performance and recycled material use.

Throughout the period, the market's evolution was shaped by the furniture sector's expansion and a focus on sustainability, with innovations in production methods and increased investment in green building practices reinforcing these trends.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Korea
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, M m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, M m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, M m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, M m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, M m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, M m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/K m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, M m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, M m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, M m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, M m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, M m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, M m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/K m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/K m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, M m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, M m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production fibreboard in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

South Korea was among the world's leading producers of fibreboard from 2017 to 2020, ranking 11th globally by production volume.

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

South Korea's fibreboard production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,400 thousand cubic meters of fibreboard, which is 8.4% less than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.4%)	(12.1%)	(8.4%)	(8.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports fibreboard from South Korea

Exports in kind, M m³

South Korea's cross-border shipments of fibreboard declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 18.0 million cubic meters of fibreboard, marking a significant decrease of 14.6% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 58%, equating to an average annual decline of 25.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(33.2%)	(26.4%)	(14.6%)	(25.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Vietnam, and China were the main destinations for South Korea's fibreboard exports in volume terms. Japan accounted for 62.0% of exports, Vietnam for 11.9%, and China for 5.4%, together making up 79.3% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

South Korea's cross-border shipments of fibreboard declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value was recorded at 11,885 thousand US dollars, down by 24.9% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 45.3%, with an average annual decline of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.0%)	(19.2%)	(24.9%)	(18.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Vietnam, and China remained the principal buyers of South Korea's fibreboard in value terms. Japan accounted for 46.1% of exports, Vietnam for 13.7%, and China for 6.5%, jointly representing 66.4% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports fibreboard to South Korea

Imports in kind, M m³

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest import volume occurred in 2017, while the highest was recorded in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, South Korea imported 150.4 million cubic meters of fibreboard, which is 29.1% lower than in 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 228.5 million cubic meters, with the largest increase of 109.7% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	109.7%	(7.2%)	(29.1%)	11.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and Vietnam were the main sources of fibreboard imports to South Korea in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 58.9% of imports, China for 13.7%, and Vietnam for 5.1%, together making up 77.7% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

South Korea's fibreboard imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported fibreboard worth 11,885 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 27.4% compared with 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 92,570 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 68.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	68.2%	(17.7%)	(27.4%)	0.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and Vietnam remained the main markets for South Korea's fibreboard imports in value terms. Thailand accounted for 42.2% of imports, China for 26.7%, and Vietnam for 7.0%, jointly taking 76.0% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io