Particle board of wood market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the entry of new players in Brazil, such as GreenPlac in Mato Grosso do Sul and Placas do Brasil in Espírito Santo, increased installed capacity and modernized production with continuous presses, supporting particle board output. Market volume remained relatively stable until 2020, when it dipped to 5.1 million m³. However, in 2021, the market surged to 6.4 million m³, driven by capacity expansion in Brazil and Mexico and growing demand for laminated and melamine boards for furniture and interior construction.

After the 2021 peak, market volume gradually declined to 5.8 million m³ by 2023. During this period, consolidation among large state-owned and private companies in Latin America, along with changes in import and export policies in Mexico, influenced market dynamics. Simultaneously, innovative adhesive and composite material technologies, such as bio-based adhesives and bamboo composites, were launched in Brazil and Chile, focusing on sustainability and emission reduction.

Throughout the full period, the industry adapted to raw material shortages by increasing the use of fast-growing plantation wood like Caribbean pine. By 2024, mandatory certification regulations in Argentina under Resolutions N° 428/2021 and N° 237/2024, and persistent demand for moisture-resistant boards like MDP Plus in Brazil, highlighted ongoing market evolution, with Mexican exports concentrating on states like Chihuahua and Baja California.

Production particle board of wood in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

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

In Latin America and the Caribbean, particle board production reached 5 719 thousand cubic meters in 2020, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 2.7%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports particle board of wood from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K m³

The export market for particle board from Latin America and the Caribbean showed considerable volatility over the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 166 thousand cubic meters, before surging to a peak of 1 343 thousand cubic meters in 2020—an 8.1-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, exports rose sharply by 34.0% compared to 2019. The most dramatic decline was in 2018, with a drop of 47.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, soaring by 502.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, China, and Israel emerged as the top three markets for particle board exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, collectively accounting for 35.3% of total export volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of particle board exports from Latin America and the Caribbean totaled 178.8 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 2.2% from the previous year. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 174.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 191.8 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 8.8%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and China were the two main destinations for particle board exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, together representing 24.9% of total export earnings.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports particle board of wood to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K m³

Import volumes for particle board in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, with imports then climbing to a peak of 1 056 thousand cubic meters in 2019—a 6.7-fold increase over those two years. In 2020, imports fell sharply to 771 thousand cubic meters, a steep decline of 27.0% compared to 2019. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, jumping by 506.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United States, and Italy were key suppliers of particle board to Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing 7.1%, 3.8%, and 3.6% of import volume, respectively. However, their combined share amounted to just 14.5% of total imports, with the remaining 85.5% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of particle board imports into Latin America and the Caribbean reached 211.1 million US dollars, up by 14.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 21.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017–2020, Spain, the United States, and Russia were important suppliers of particle board to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, accounting for 17.4%, 10.6%, and 3.0% of import value, respectively. Their combined share totaled 31.0% of total imports, while the remaining 69.0% was distributed among many other partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020