Market research

MDF market in Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market in Africa showed a fluctuating volume between 2018 and 2023, starting at 1.8 million cubic meters in 2018. After a dip to 1.7 million cubic meters in 2019, the market expanded steadily, reaching a peak of over 2.0 million cubic meters in 2022 before contracting to 1.9 million cubic meters in 2023.

Domestic production remained stable at 437 thousand cubic meters annually from 2018 through 2021, then surged by 38% to 602 thousand cubic meters in 2022. Imports, which consistently supplied the majority of the market, varied between 1.3 and 1.6 million cubic meters per year, while exports remained minimal throughout the period.

In 2024, PG Bison launched a significant investment to expand its MDF production capacity in Southern Africa. The addition of a new MDF Contiroll line at Mkhondo represents a R1.875 billion investment, raising the company's total daily capacity to 1 180 cubic meters and creating a combined particleboard, MDF, resin, and paper treating site. This expansion directly addresses the long-standing supply constraints that have characterized the local MDF market.

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. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
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, K m³
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K m³
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K m³
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K m³
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K m³
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ 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/m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K m³
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 MDF in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of MDF, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of MDF, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Africa's MDF production reached its peak at 437.4 thousand cubic meters. The following year, in 2020, output remained stable at 437.4 thousand cubic meters, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The most notable increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 2.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.3%	0.1%	-	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports MDF from Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

Africa's MDF export volumes showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at just 5 thousand cubic meters, marking a sharp decline of 67.4% from the previous year. However, 2020 saw a dramatic turnaround, with exports surging to 48 thousand cubic meters—a remarkable 771.4% increase compared to 2019. This created an 8.7-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(42.7%)	(67.4%)	771.4%	17.7%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Africa's MDF export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 30.8 million US dollars—a 5.7% decrease from 2019. Despite this recent dip, exports grew by 27.3% overall from 2017 to 2020, averaging 8.4% annual growth. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 33.3 million US dollars, which represented a substantial 37.4% increase from the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	37.4%	(1.8%)	(5.7%)	8.4%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports MDF to Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

Africa's MDF import volumes reached 1 389 thousand cubic meters in 2020, showing a modest 6.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 26.9%, with an average annual rate of 8.3%. The peak import volume occurred in 2018 at 1 396 thousand cubic meters, reflecting a significant 27.5% jump from 2017. However, 2019 saw imports decline by 6.8% before recovering in 2020.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	27.5%	(6.8%)	6.8%	8.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China, Turkey, and Thailand dominated Africa's MDF import market by volume. China accounted for 31.4% of imports, Turkey for 17.5%, and Thailand for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 59.4% of Africa's total MDF import flows during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's MDF import value rose to 451.8 million US dollars in 2020, an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value grew by 14.6%, averaging 4.6% annual growth. The most significant increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.4% rise, while 2019 saw imports decline by 8.0% before rebounding in 2020.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.4%	(8.0%)	8.8%	4.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Turkey, and Thailand were the primary sources of Africa's MDF imports by value. China contributed 28.2% of import value, Turkey 17.4%, and Thailand 11.6%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 57.1% of Africa's total MDF import expenditure during this four-year period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io