Particle board of wood market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The particle board market in MERCOSUR expanded from 2.1 million m³ in 2018 to 3.4 million m³ in 2020, supported by steady production growth. This increase occurred without major reported disruptions in the regional industry.

Market volume reached a peak of 3.9 million m³ in 2021 before declining to 3.4 million m³ in 2022 and 3.3 million m³ in 2023. The contraction in 2022 was influenced by global inflationary pressures, high logistics costs, and a slowdown in construction activity in key markets, which reduced demand. Additionally, the implementation of Resolution 240/19 in Argentina introduced new quality and safety standards for wood-based panels, affecting supply conditions. The EU-MERCOSUR agreement also began enforcing strict origin certification for wood exports to ensure sustainability, reshaping export dynamics.

Entering 2024, the market continues to be shaped by the EU-MERCOSUR sustainability certification requirements and a consumer trend toward particle board with higher recycled content. The elimination of tariffs on capital goods under the agreement has facilitated technological modernization in production plants and may encourage the entry of new European manufacturers into the regional market.

Production particle board of wood in MERCOSUR

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

Particle board production in MERCOSUR has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3,832 thousand cubic meters, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

Exports particle board of wood from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, K m³

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. In 2019, export volumes hit their lowest point at 478 thousand cubic meters, while 2018 saw the peak at 1,571 thousand cubic meters—a 3.3-fold difference. In 2020, particle board exports from MERCOSUR reached 521 thousand cubic meters, reflecting a moderate year-over-year increase of 8.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 69.6%, while the biggest surge was in 2018, with a 215.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru, Ecuador, and the United States were the top destinations for particle board exports from MERCOSUR. Peru accounted for 27.1% of exports in volume, Ecuador for 19.5%, and the United States for 15.3%, together making up 61.9% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 88,512 thousand US dollars worth of particle board, showing a slight year-over-year increase of 0.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 90,190 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 2.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 12.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, particle board exports from MERCOSUR in value terms were widely distributed across markets. Peru accounted for 16.8% of export value, the United States for 16.5%, and Colombia for 13.7%, together representing only 46.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, K m³

The import market displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 9 thousand cubic meters, while 2019 saw the peak at 82 thousand cubic meters—an 8.9-fold difference. In 2020, particle board imports into MERCOSUR totaled 52 thousand cubic meters, a 36.6% decrease compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 83.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, with a 786.3% surge.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that particle board imports into MERCOSUR were not concentrated among a few key sources. Germany accounted for 22.8% of imports in volume, Italy for 1.3%, and Austria for 1.2%, together making up just 25.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, particle board imports into MERCOSUR increased in 2020. Import value reached 9,865 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp year-over-year rise of 25.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7,887 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop that year at 14.4%.

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

The import market in value terms from 2017 to 2020 had a broad base. Germany accounted for 4.3% of import value, Italy for 4.2%, and Austria for 2.3%, together representing only 10.8% of total flows, while the remaining 89.2% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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