MDF market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine MDF market volume showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023, starting at 564.8 thousand m³ in 2018, declining to a low of 343.3 thousand m³ in 2020, and then recovering to 532.7 thousand m³ in 2022 before a moderate decrease to 499.7 thousand m³ in 2023.

Production followed a similar trajectory, falling to 327.4 thousand m³ in 2020 before climbing to 542.8 thousand m³ in 2023. Trade dynamics also evolved, with exports rising sharply to 62.8 thousand m³ in 2023 while imports remained below 30 thousand m³ from 2021 onward.

In 2024, the market environment was shaped by new regulatory and industrial factors. The Secretariat of Domestic Trade established technical quality and safety requirements for commercially traded wood-based panels, directly affecting MDF market rules. Furthermore, the broader Argentine wood industry reported a 24% year-on-year contraction in the first half of 2024, occurring alongside a challenging macroeconomic climate and signs of recovery in the real estate sector.

Production MDF in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Argentina ranked 25th globally in MDF production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of MDF, 2017-2020

World map of production of MDF, 2017-2020

Argentina's MDF production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 327.4 K m³ of MDF, marking a sharp 32.0% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 36.1%, with an average annual decline of 13.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 517.1 K m³, which saw a modest 1.0% increase that year.

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

Exports MDF from Argentina

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed significant volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2018, exports swung dramatically, with a 14.5-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, Argentina exported 21 486 m³ of MDF, a 44.1% decrease year-over-year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 5 262 m³, which experienced a steep 93.1% decline. In contrast, 2019 saw a remarkable 630.1% surge in exports.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Argentina's MDF exports in volume terms were Uruguay, Canada, and the United States, which together accounted for 73.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. There was a 22-fold variation between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Argentina exported MDF worth 6 295 K $ US, a 41.7% decrease from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 569 K $ US, with a sharp 95.5% drop that year. However, 2019 saw a substantial 588.5% increase in export value.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay, Canada, and the United States remained the top buyers of Argentine MDF in value terms, contributing 38.5%, 25.5%, and 18.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three markets made up 82.9% of Argentina's MDF export value.

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

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

Imports MDF to Argentina

Imports in kind, m³

After two years of decline, Argentina's MDF imports increased in 2020. The import volume reached 37 361 m³, up 46.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 25 597 m³, which saw a 51.6% drop that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Germany, and China were the main suppliers of MDF to Argentina in volume terms, accounting for 44.7%, 19.8%, and 16.7% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries supplied 81.2% of Argentina's MDF imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Argentina's MDF import value rose in 2020. The country imported MDF worth 13 396 K $ US, a 17.8% increase from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 15.8%. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 11 367 K $ US, which experienced a 47.5% decrease that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Brazil, and China consistently remained the top sources for Argentina's MDF imports in value terms, contributing 27.1%, 26.4%, and 20.0% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 73.5% of Argentina's import value.

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

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