Market research

MDF market in South Korea

MDF market in South Korea

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:
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Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market in South Korea began the period at a high of 2 011 thousand m³ in 2018, supported by strong demand for furniture, cabinets, and flooring in the Asia-Pacific region. However, volume fell to 1 787 thousand m³ in 2019 and further to 1 590 thousand m³ in 2020, with the latter drop largely attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption to the furniture industry.

A rebound to 1 787 thousand m³ occurred in 2021, fueled by growing consumer demand for sustainable building materials, which prompted manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly production methods and increase the use of recycled wood. Simultaneously, automation in MDF manufacturing processes improved efficiency and helped control costs.

Market volume then trended downward, reaching 1 526 thousand m³ in 2023. Despite this, the market saw significant activity from major companies, such as capacity expansions by Archidply and E3 Group aiming for 50% growth by 2024, alongside advancements in surface treatments and the introduction of fire-resistant MDF products to meet new safety standards.

Table of content

  1. 1. Disclaimer
  2. 2. Terms of use of the report
  3. 3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
  4. 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. 4.1.2. In value
        1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
        2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
        3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
        4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
    2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
  5. 5. Production
    1. 5.1. Production in South Korea
      1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in kind, 2018-2023, K m³
      2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2018-2023, $ US
    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. 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 South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
        2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea 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 South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea 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 South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
        2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea 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 South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
        2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Korea 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 South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Korea 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 South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
        2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
  7. 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 South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
        2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea 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 South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea 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 South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
        2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea 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 South Korea in kind, 2018-2024, K m³
        2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Korea 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 South Korea in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
        2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Korea 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 South Korea, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
        2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Korea by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/m³
  8. 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. 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 South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea maintained the 10th position globally in terms of MDF production volume.

Top producers of MDF, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of MDF, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

MDF production in South Korea declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 400 K m³ of MDF, representing an 8.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.7%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year(5.4%)(12.1%)(8.4%)(8.7%)
Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MDF production in South Korea declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 574.2 M $ US, marking a 13.8% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 670.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 19.0%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year19.0%(0.7%)(13.8%)0.6%
Source: SHEV.io

Exports MDF from South Korea

Exports in kind, K m³

MDF exports from South Korea declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 25.9 K m³, a significant decrease of 10.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 58.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 25.3%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year(34.4%)(28.7%)(10.9%)(25.3%)
Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Japan, Vietnam, and China—collectively accounted for 81.0% of South Korea's total MDF exports in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

MDF exports from South Korea declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 10 626 K $ US, which is 16.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 44.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -17.7%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year(17.4%)(19.5%)(16.1%)(17.7%)
Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Japan (54.8% of exports in value terms), Vietnam (9.3%), and China (7.5%) were the principal destinations for South Korea's MDF exports, jointly accounting for 71.5% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports MDF to South Korea

Imports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea imported 215.8 K m³ of MDF, down by 24.8% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 311.7 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 154.1%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year154.1%(7.9%)(24.8%)20.7%
Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (66.8% of imports in volume terms), Brazil (5.6%), and Vietnam (5.0%) were the primary suppliers of MDF to South Korea, jointly accounting for 77.4% of total imports in volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South Korea's MDF imports reached 47 386 K $ US, a decrease of 22.3% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 73 907 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 123.1%.

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

Parameter201820192020CAGR
1Change from last year123.1%(17.4%)(22.3%)12.7%
Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (53.6% of imports in value terms), China (12.3%), and Vietnam (8.2%) played the leading roles in South Korea's MDF imports, jointly accounting for 74.1% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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