Particle board of wood market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian particle board market experienced notable volatility between 2018 and 2024. After a contraction to 1 978 thousand m³ in 2019, market volume rebounded sharply to 2 576 thousand m³ in 2020. This recovery was supported by robust activity in the construction sector, which increased demand for wooden components like windows, doors, and stairs, thereby lifting particle board consumption.

Market volume peaked at 2 750 thousand m³ in 2021 despite soaring raw material and energy costs. Anomalous price increases for softwood lumber on global markets, exacerbated by pandemic-related disruptions and international tensions, pushed production expenses higher. By 2022, volume retreated to 2 488 thousand m³ as persistent softwood shortages—aggravated by the war in Ukraine—continued to pressure supply chains and maintain elevated panel prices.

A further decline to 2 287 thousand m³ occurred in 2023, before the market expanded again to 2 787 thousand m³ in 2024. Throughout the latter period, limited availability of softwood lumber in slabs on the European market remained a key market condition, contributing to sustained price levels for particle board.

Production particle board of wood in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's particle board production value rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, output reached 465.8 million US dollars, marking a significant 52.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 305.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 27.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked as the 12th largest producer of particle board in the world.

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

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

Italy's particle board production volume recovered after a two-year decrease. In 2020, production amounted to 2 143 thousand cubic meters, showing a sharp 45.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 474 thousand cubic meters, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.1%.

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

Exports particle board of wood from Italy

Exports in kind, K m³

Italy's particle board exports declined after a two-year improvement. In 2020, exports totaled 495 thousand cubic meters, reflecting a measured 9.0% decrease from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 544 thousand cubic meters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export structure for particle board was balanced rather than concentrated. The top three partners—France with 13.3% of exports, Asia not elsewhere specified with 13.1%, and Germany with 7.3%—collectively represented 33.7% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 66.3%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's particle board exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 258.0 million US dollars, a slight 1.1% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy traded particle board with numerous countries, and even the largest destinations—France, the United States, and Germany—together accounted for only 42.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to Italy

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Italy's particle board imports reached 928 thousand cubic meters, down by 11.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 046 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Austria, Slovakia, and France—together accounted for 55.0% of Italy's total particle board imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's particle board imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 201.6 million US dollars, a 10.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 251.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Austria, Germany, and France—together accounted for 55.4% of Italy's total particle board imports in value terms.

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

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