Particle board of wood market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The particle board market in Northern Europe opened the period at 7.9 million m³ in 2018, supported by strong consumption growth for wood-based panels across Europe, which bolstered demand. However, in 2019 the market volume declined to 7.5 million m³ as consumer preferences shifted toward high-quality domestic products, reducing imports even though local production increased.

A sharp contraction followed in 2020, with the market falling to 5.7 million m³. The subsequent years saw volatility: a rebound to 6.5 million m³ in 2021, a drop back to 5.7 million m³ in 2022, and a modest recovery to 5.8 million m³ in 2023.

By 2024, industry factors pointed to tighter raw material conditions. Timber harvests in Sweden declined for the second consecutive year due to stricter regulatory requirements and a growing emphasis on continuous-cover forestry. This pushed wood prices to historic highs and raised concerns about future production capacity. Reflecting these pressures, particle board imports fell to 2.7 million m³ while exports jumped to 1.6 million m³.

Production particle board of wood in Northern Europe

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 2020, Northern Europe produced 3,976 thousand cubic meters of particle board, marking a 20.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 18.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5,015 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.4%.

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

Exports particle board of wood from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

Following two years of decline, Northern Europe's particle board exports rebounded in 2020. Export volume reached 1,192 thousand cubic meters, showing a moderate 8.7% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 22.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,096 thousand cubic meters, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 26.4% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Europe's particle board exports were distributed across numerous markets. Poland accounted for 10.0% of export volume, the United Arab Emirates for 5.4%, and the Netherlands for 3.6%. Together, these three markets represented just 19.0% of total exports, with the remaining 81.0% spread across many smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Northern Europe's particle board exports in value terms showed a modest recovery in 2020. Export value reached $233.5 million, reflecting a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 13.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $226.4 million, which also saw the largest annual decrease of 15.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Europe's particle board export value was distributed across a diverse range of markets. Poland accounted for 7.8% of export value, the Netherlands for 6.7%, and Norway for 3.9%. Combined, these three markets represented only 18.3% of total export value, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

Northern Europe's particle board imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volume stood at 2,956 thousand cubic meters, representing a substantial 17.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 24.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,288 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.3%.

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

Analysis of Northern Europe's particle board import volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. Germany accounted for 27.4% of imports, Belgium for 14.6%, and Poland for 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 49.7% of total imports, while the remaining 50.3% was distributed among numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's particle board imports in value terms declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Import value reached approximately $543.5 million, representing a 3.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 7.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $634.6 million, which saw a 7.9% increase. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 with an 11.0% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Europe's particle board import value was distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 20.1% of import value, Poland for 9.8%, and Norway for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 36.9% of total import value.

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

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