Market research

MDF market in Northern Europe

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Northern Europe" region includes following countries:

Denmark

Estonia

Faroe Islands

Finland

Åland Islands

Iceland

Ireland

Latvia

Lithuania

Norway

Sweden

the United Kingdom

Isle of Man

Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market volume in Northern Europe demonstrated significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded from 2.28 million m³ in 2018 to 2.59 million m³ in 2019, then contracted to 2.23 million m³ in 2020. A pronounced surge followed in 2021, driving the market to a peak of 2.91 million m³. This growth reversed sharply in 2022, with the volume falling to 1.85 million m³, before a partial recovery to 2.11 million m³ in 2023.

Domestic production reached its highest point at 1.24 million m³ in 2021 but declined in the subsequent years. Imports, a major component of supply, also peaked in 2021 at over 2.02 million m³ before decreasing notably, influencing the overall market availability alongside variable export volumes.

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 Northern Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe 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 Denmark in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Denmark 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 Denmark in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Denmark 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 Denmark, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Denmark 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 Denmark in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Denmark 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 Denmark in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Denmark 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 Denmark, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Denmark 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 Denmark in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Denmark 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 Denmark in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Denmark 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 Denmark, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Denmark 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 Denmark in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Denmark 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 Denmark in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Denmark 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 Denmark, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Denmark 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 Northern Europe

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

Northern Europe's MDF production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 1 094 K m³, marking a moderate 8.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 189 K m³, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 3.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	2.3%	(8.0%)	(1.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports MDF from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, MDF shipments from Northern Europe to abroad amounted to 584 K m³, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 107.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 282 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 40.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	51.5%	(40.1%)	107.0%	23.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, MDF exports from Northern Europe were relatively evenly distributed. The Netherlands accounted for 7.8% of exports in kind, Norway for 7.1%, and Belgium for 4.4%, with these three countries together representing only 19.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's MDF export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 348.6 M $ US, up 14.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 26.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.0%	0.7%	14.2%	8.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium were significant buyers of MDF from Northern Europe in value terms, accounting for 15.3%, 6.9%, and 3.1% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 25.3% of total exports in value, with the remaining 74.7% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports MDF to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

MDF shipments to Northern Europe from abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 720 K m³, showing a slight gain of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	21.3%	5.6%	2.4%	9.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany represented 23.1% of imports in kind, Poland 12.3%, and Belgium 12.2%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 47.6% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 52.4%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of MDF imports into Northern Europe came to 763.2 M $ US, remaining relatively flat compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 768.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.4%	(1.0%)	0.4%	1.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 20.8% of imports in value terms, Belgium for 19.2%, and Poland for 9.0%, with these three countries together representing only 49.0% of total flows. A long tail of smaller markets constituted the remaining 51.0%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io