MDF market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market in Poland grew from $705 million in 2018 to a peak of $909 million in 2021, reaching $893 million in 2022. This expansion coincided with a sharp surge in MDF prices, which rose by over 70% between September 2020 and April 2021 and by another 50% in 2021. The increased cost of this key raw material elevated production expenses for the furniture industry, the primary consumer of MDF, contributing to higher market value during this period.

From 2023, the market contracted to $768 million and further to $745 million in 2024. This decline was driven by rising costs for energy, raw materials including wood and MDF, and labor, which led to an approximate 12% drop in furniture production in early 2023. Geopolitical factors, inflation, and higher interest rates weakened the housing market and consumer demand for furniture, while growing CO2 emission costs and energy price volatility continued to pressure production expenses across the wood-based panels and furniture sectors.

Production MDF in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Poland's MDF output was valued at 833.6 million US dollars, representing a robust 22.4% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports MDF from Poland

Exports in kind, K m³

After a two-year decline, MDF deliveries from Poland increased in 2020. Exports totaled 716.3 thousand cubic meters, marking a small 1.1% rise compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 708.8 thousand cubic meters, with the largest decline of 15.5% occurring that same year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.5%.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. Germany accounted for 16.5% of exports in kind, Lithuania for 11.3%, and Sweden for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.0% of total flows, while the remaining 61.0% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's MDF export volume reached 217.9 million US dollars, up by 2.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 211.9 million US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 259.9 million US dollars. The largest decline of 18.5% was recorded in 2019, and the largest increase of 8.4% was in 2018. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MDF from Poland was supplied to a broad set of markets. Germany accounted for 17.8% of exports in value terms, Sweden for 9.9%, and Lithuania for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.4% of total exports in value terms, while many smaller destinations formed the remaining 62.6%.

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

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

Imports MDF to Poland

Imports in kind, K m³

Imported MDF volumes in Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 642.8 thousand cubic meters, up by 9.4% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 60.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belarus, Germany, and Russia remained the key partners for imports in kind. Belarus accounted for 44.2% of imports in kind, Germany for 21.3%, and Russia for 9.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 74.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

MDF deliveries to Poland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 182.4 million US dollars, reflecting a solid advance of 21.4% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 91.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 24.2%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Belarus, Germany, and Belgium were the main suppliers of MDF to Poland in value terms. Belarus accounted for 30.0% of imports in value terms, Germany for 24.1%, and Belgium for 13.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 68.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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