Particle board of wood market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the French particle board market experienced notable fluctuations. Particle boards sold in France must carry CE marking according to NF EN 312 and NF EN 12369 standards, ensuring consistent quality. Market volume reached 3 049 thousand m³ in 2019 before dropping to 2 505 thousand m³ in 2020, a decline that coincided with rising softwood lumber prices, which increased production costs and constrained supply. Volume then surged to 3 546 thousand m³ in 2021.

A sharp contraction followed in 2022, when volume fell to 2 629 thousand m³, directly linked to a downturn in construction starts and weaker real estate transactions that reduced demand for wood-based panels. The market stabilized in 2023 at 2 739 thousand m³, supported by demand from ready-to-assemble furniture and e‑commerce, which favored affordable and customizable particle board.

In 2024, Kronospan acquired a particle board manufacturing site in Sully‑sur‑Loire, reinforcing local production capacity. Strict environmental regulations continued to limit the availability of virgin wood, pushing manufacturers to increase recycled wood fiber usage.

Production particle board of wood in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked 8th globally in particle board of wood production.

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

World map of production of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

In 2020, France produced 2 628 K m³ of particle board of wood, marking an 18.7% decrease from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 2 550 K m³, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 3 234 K m³. The most significant growth was observed in 2019, with a 26.9% increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, France's particle board of wood production declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 666.1 M $ US, reflecting an 18.3% drop compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 815.8 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 22.5% rise.

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

Exports particle board of wood from France

Exports in kind, K m³

Particle board of wood exports from France grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 130 K m³, showing a modest year-on-year increase of 7.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports expanded by 9.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 904 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 12.2%. The most substantial increase happened in 2019, with a 15.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Italy consistently led as the top destinations for France's particle board of wood exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 30.8% of exports, Spain for 26.4%, and Italy for 11.5%, together making up 68.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, France's particle board of wood exports were valued at 286.3 M $ US, indicating a moderate 8.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 6.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with an 11.2% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Spain, and Belgium remained the primary destinations for France's particle board of wood exports in value terms. Germany represented 28.0% of exports, Spain 27.8%, and Belgium 10.4%, collectively accounting for 66.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to France

Imports in kind, K m³

France's particle board of wood imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 007 K m³, up 16.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 40.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 706 K m³, which also experienced a slight decline of 1.4%. The most significant increase was in 2019, with a 22.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Spain were the main suppliers of particle board of wood to France in volume terms. Belgium contributed 35.0% of imports, Germany 29.0%, and Spain 7.7%, together comprising 71.7% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, France's particle board of wood imports rebounded. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 276.8 M $ US, a 33.0% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 208.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest decrease of 6.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Belgium, Germany, and Italy played key roles in France's particle board of wood imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 28.0% of imports, Germany for 27.4%, and Italy for 14.9%, jointly representing 70.4% of total import value.

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

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