MDF market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market volume in Southern Europe showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. It expanded sharply in 2019, reaching 3 831 thousand m³, a 24% increase from the previous year. However, this was followed by a contraction in 2020 to 3 161 thousand m³. The market then stabilized around 3 200 thousand m³ in 2021 before declining again to 3 087 thousand m³ in 2022 and further to 2 735 thousand m³ in 2023.

In the latter part of the period, several factors shaped the market dynamics. Residential and commercial construction remained a primary demand driver for MDF, supported by public and private investments in institutional sectors like schools and hospitals. Innovations in surface treatments led to more scratch- and wear-resistant MDF, boosting its use in interior applications. At the same time, rising raw material costs, reported to have increased by 14%, introduced volatility and pressure on producers.

Consumer preferences also evolved, with a growing emphasis on sustainable and formaldehyde-free MDF panels, particularly in the European market. This trend, along with demand for customized furniture, influenced product development and market offerings. Global economic factors such as inflation and shifting consumption patterns contributed to the market environment during these years.

Production MDF in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of MDF, 2017-2020

World map of production of MDF, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's MDF production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 876 K m³ of MDF, representing a 4.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 165 K m³, with a notable increase of 5.8% that year. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 5.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of MDF output in Southern Europe was 1 282 M $ US, down by 14.3% from the previous year. The lowest value during this period was in 2018 at 1 244 M $ US, while the peak was reached in 2019 at 1 496 M $ US. The most significant increase happened in 2019, with a rise of 20.2%.

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

Exports MDF from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

Southern Europe exported 1 204 K m³ of MDF in 2020, showing a 17.4% improvement compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 025 K m³, and the highest was in 2018 at 1 478 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 30.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a gain of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MDF exports from Southern Europe were spread across many partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 6.9% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 5.8%, and Tunisia for 5.8%, but together these three countries made up only 18.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, MDF shipments from Southern Europe to abroad totaled 536.9 M $ US, marking a moderate gain of 4.9% from the year before. The lowest value was in 2019 at 511.6 M $ US, and the highest was in 2018 at 581.0 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 with an 11.9% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with an 8.9% rise.

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

During 2017–2020, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands were key buyers of MDF from Southern Europe in value terms, with shares of 6.9%, 5.8%, and 5.3% respectively. However, their combined share reached only 18.1% of total exports in value, leaving the remaining 81.9% distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports MDF to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of growth, MDF import volumes into Southern Europe declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 489 K m³, representing a 19.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 860 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 33.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, MDF imports to Southern Europe in kind came from a diverse range of partner countries. France accounted for 15.3% of imports in kind, Romania for 11.9%, and Germany for 11.1%, but together these three countries made up only 38.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

MDF import volumes into Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 572.4 M $ US, corresponding to a limited fall of 6.6% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 676.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 16.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 9.3%.

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

The partner structure of MDF imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Germany accounted for 16.3% of imports in value terms, Belgium for 10.0%, and France for 9.2%, but together these three countries represented only 35.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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