OSB market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The OSB market in Eastern Asia expanded from 2.4 million m³ in 2018 to 4.5 million m³ in 2020. This initial surge was supported by government policies promoting prefabricated and wood-frame construction, which directly increased demand for OSB panels. The industry simultaneously entered a rapid capacity expansion phase, adding new production lines that boosted supply. In 2020 alone, three new OSB lines commenced operation, adding 850 thousand m³ of annual production capacity.

Market growth accelerated further from 2021 to 2023, with volume reaching 11.7 million m³ by the end of the period. This was driven by an unprecedented scale of capacity additions, including the commissioning of 36 new particleboard lines in 2023. Concurrently, stricter environmental standards, such as the upcoming GB 18580-2025 regulation, pushed manufacturers toward higher-quality, low-emission products. Growing demand from the custom furniture and furniture manufacturing sectors also broadened OSB applications, sustaining market expansion.

Production OSB in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of OSB, 2017-2020

World map of production of OSB, 2017-2020

OSB production in Eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3,860 K m³ of OSB, marking a significant 16.6% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 144.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2018, volumes hit their lowest point, while they peaked in 2020, with the peak being 3.4 times higher than the trough. In 2020, the output of OSB in Eastern Asia was valued at 1,663 M US dollars, representing a 48.7% rise from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 486 M US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 9.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 130.1%.

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

Exports OSB from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K m³

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. From 2017 to 2018, the span exhibited a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2 times. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 74.0 K m³ of OSB, up by 7.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 136.3 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 49.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 99.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Chile accounted for 24.0% of exports in kind, Peru for 7.3%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 4.4%. Together, these three represented only 35.7% of total flows, with the remaining 64.3% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, OSB volumes leaving Eastern Asia totaled 31.9 M US dollars, reflecting a 37.1% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 23.2 M US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 35.6 M US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 34.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 52.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Peru, and Vietnam were among the largest buyers of OSB from Eastern Asia in value terms, accounting for 26.0%, 7.4%, and 6.1% of exports, respectively. However, even combined, they represented just 39.5% of total exports in value terms, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports OSB to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year decline, Eastern Asia's OSB import volume increased. In 2020, the region imported approximately 692.1 K m³ of OSB, constituting a 3.4% rise relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 669.0 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 22.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Romania, and Germany were the primary suppliers of OSB to Eastern Asia in kind, accounting for 41.0%, 15.6%, and 12.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they jointly accounted for 69.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, the volume of OSB imports to Eastern Asia increased. In 2020, imports registered 183.2 M US dollars, corresponding to a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 179.2 M US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 11.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Canada, Romania, and Germany—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 72.7% of total flows.

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

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