Market research

MDF market in SADC

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"SADC" region includes following countries:

Angola

Botswana

Comoros

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Eswatini

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Seychelles

South Africa

Tanzania

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market in SADC expanded from 389 тыс. m³ in 2018 to a peak of 452 тыс. m³ in 2021. This increase was fueled by a surge in imports, which rose from 108 тыс. m³ to 170 тыс. m³ over the same period, while domestic production remained stable at approximately 299 тыс. m³.

Market volume contracted to 434 тыс. m³ in 2022, a decline that aligned with a broader global slowdown in MDF demand growth. Weaker international demand, particularly from key consuming sectors like construction and furniture manufacturing, led to a sharp reduction in imports entering the region.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 428 тыс. m³, with imports recovering slightly and exports showing little change. Domestic production continued unchanged, indicating that the market's movements were primarily driven by variations in trade flows rather than local output.

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 SADC
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in SADC 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola 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, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola 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/m³
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Angola 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, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Angola 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/m³
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Angola 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola 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, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola 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/m³
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola 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 Angola in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Angola 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, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Angola in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Angola 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/m³
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Angola 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K 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 MDF in SADC

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, MDF production in SADC reached its peak at 299.4 thousand cubic meters. The following year, in 2020, output remained nearly unchanged at 299.4 thousand cubic meters, showing only a marginal fluctuation. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% change, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	-	0.1%	-	0.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports MDF from SADC

Exports in kind, K m³

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2.5 thousand cubic meters, while the highest occurred in 2017, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 10.7 times. In 2020, MDF volumes leaving SADC reached 19.5 thousand cubic meters, marking a steep increase of 675.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 86.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(33.1%)	(86.0%)	675.5%	(10.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya and Nigeria consistently accounted for the largest share of MDF exports in kind from SADC, representing 9.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, SADC exported 15 052 thousand US dollars of MDF, up by 16.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 34.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 20.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20.9%	(4.8%)	16.9%	10.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Kenya and Nigeria remained the principal buyers of MDF from SADC in value terms, together forming 10.0% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports MDF to SADC

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, foreign MDF supplies to SADC totaled 118.8 thousand cubic meters, equivalent to a gain of 13.5% over the past year. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 26.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.9%	(2.9%)	13.5%	8.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of MDF to SADC were distributed across a large number of markets. Brazil, China, and Thailand accounted for 17.0%, 14.9%, and 12.3% of imports in kind, respectively, jointly representing 44.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign MDF supplies to SADC totaled 42 478 thousand US dollars, amounting to a small uptick of 2.1% versus the previous year. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 44 905 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 11.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.3%	(7.3%)	2.1%	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. China, Brazil, and Germany accounted for 15.0%, 10.9%, and 8.9% of imports in value terms, respectively, together representing just 34.8% of total flows, with no partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io