Particle board of wood market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The Japanese particle board market received a boost starting in 2018 when a revision to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) notification officially approved structural particle board for use in load-bearing walls of wooden frame buildings, increasing demand for seismic-resistant construction. Market volume grew to 1.35 million m³ by 2019. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in construction projects and a reduction in furniture consumption, temporarily suppressing demand and reducing the market volume to 1.24 million m³, despite some offsetting growth in DIY interest.

Recovery began in 2021, with market volume rising to 1.27 million m³, and accelerated in 2022 to reach a peak of 1.37 million m³. This growth was supported by the commissioning of the country's largest particle board plant by EN Board Co., Ltd. in Shizuoka Prefecture, which expanded domestic supply capacity. Concurrently, a fire at the Nittetsu Tex Eng PB plant in Kitakyushu temporarily cut national production capacity by approximately 10%, creating shortages in certain segments, though the new plant helped offset the loss. Government policy promoting wood use for energy-efficient buildings also provided underlying demand support.

In 2023, the particle board market volume declined to 1.16 million m³, a 15% decrease from the previous year. The market value also fell to $398 million.

Production particle board of wood in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Globally, Japan ranked as the 19th largest producer of particle board of wood from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2018-2021

World map of production of particle board of wood, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, Japan's particle board of wood production volume rebounded in 2021, reaching 1 004 K m³. This marked a year-over-year improvement of 4.5%. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production decreased by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 961 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output value of particle board of wood in Japan was 444.6 K US dollars, representing a 2.1% increase compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 8.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.8%. The minimum value occurred in 2020 at 435.3 K US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 492.4 K US dollars. The largest decline of 11.6% was also recorded in 2020.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports particle board of wood from Japan

Exports in kind, M m³

Japan exported 14.1 million m³ of particle board of wood in 2021, showing a sharp improvement of 51.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 63.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9%. The largest decline of 20.6% was recorded in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021, M m³

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia (34.0% of exports in kind), the Philippines (33.5%), and China (30.3%) stood out as the main markets for Japan's particle board of wood exports in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 97.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan exported 6.2 million US dollars worth of particle board of wood, indicating an intense rise of 47.9% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value increased by 60.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.0%. The largest decline of 23.2% was recorded in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, China (35.4% of exports in value terms), the Philippines (31.5%), and Indonesia (30.0%) remained the key destinations for Japan's particle board of wood exports by value. Collectively, they represented 96.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2021

Imports particle board of wood to Japan

Imports in kind, M m³

In 2021, Japan's particle board of wood import volumes totalled 181.9 million m³, constituting a gradual increase of 6.7% relative to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 170.4 million m³, while the maximum was in 2019 at 198.1 million m³. The largest decline of 14.0% also occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021, M m³

From 2018 to 2021, Austria (50.5% of imports in kind), New Zealand (14.6%), and Vietnam (9.4%) formed the core sources for Japan's particle board of wood imports by volume. Together, these three countries accounted for 74.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan registered particle board of wood import volumes valued at 107.8 million US dollars, up by 17.8% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 91.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018-2021, Austria (50.6% of imports in value terms), New Zealand (19.0%), and Malaysia (6.9%) were the main markets for Japan's particle board of wood imports by value. Together, they accounted for 76.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2021