Market research

MDF market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The MDF market in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 821 thousand m³ in 2018 to 865 thousand m³ in 2019. This expansion was supported by the launch of the South African Investment Conference, which mobilized large-scale investments and boosted economic activity, increasing demand for construction materials like MDF. The subsequent implementation of South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan in 2019 further aided the market by promoting a more reliable energy mix, fostering industrial production.

Market volume then contracted to 747 thousand m³ in 2020 and 651 thousand m³ in 2021. A recovery followed in 2022, with volume rising to 750 thousand m³. This rebound was driven primarily by a sharp increase in domestic production to 509 thousand m³, coinciding with South Africa's Energy Action Plan that enhanced renewable energy integration and grid stability, supporting manufacturing operations across the region.

In 2023, the market declined to 703 thousand m³ as production eased to 475 thousand m³. While imports saw a modest increase, the overall volume was influenced by these production adjustments within the period.

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

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 Sub-Saharan Africa, MDF production remained stable in 2020 at 344.4 thousand cubic meters, showing virtually no change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 344.4 thousand cubic meters, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.0%	0.1%	-	1.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports MDF from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

Export volumes of MDF from Sub-Saharan Africa showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at just 2.3 thousand cubic meters, but then surged dramatically to 39.2 thousand cubic meters in 2020, representing an extraordinary year-over-year increase of 1,591.1%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019 was substantial, with the 2020 volume being 17 times higher than the 2019 level. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 85.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(44.9%)	(85.2%)	1 591.1%	11.3%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

MDF exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 27.2 million US dollars, marking a 4.1% decrease from 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, export value actually increased by 29.6%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 9.0%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 29.1 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 38.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	38.7%	(2.5%)	(4.1%)	9.0%

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports MDF to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of growth, MDF imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined in 2020. Import volume reached 441.3 thousand cubic meters in 2020, representing a 15.6% decrease from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports still showed overall growth of 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 522.9 thousand cubic meters, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 36.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	36.4%	6.1%	(15.6%)	6.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the dominant supplier of MDF to Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 63.1% of imports in volume terms. Thailand and Brazil followed with equal shares of 4.8% each. Together, these three countries supplied 72.8% of all MDF imports to the region during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of MDF imports into Sub-Saharan Africa declined in 2020. Import value amounted to 139.7 million US dollars in 2020, showing a 12.0% contraction compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 158.7 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 10.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	10.5%	(12.0%)	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary source of MDF imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, representing 56.2% of total import value. Thailand followed with 4.1%, and Brazil with 3.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 63.8% of the total import value during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io