Particle board of wood market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The South American particle board market began the period with capacity expansions, as new players like GreenPlac and Placas do Brasil entered the Brazilian market in 2018, accompanied by the installation of continuous presses at major producers. These investments supported a market volume of approximately 4.7 million m³. Technological upgrades continued into 2019, though market size edged down slightly. In 2020, market volume contracted to 4.2 million m³.

A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with market volume jumping to 5.6 million m³, the highest level in the period. This growth was not sustained, as volumes fell back to 5.0 million m³ in 2022 and 4.6 million m³ in 2023. During these years, Brazil consolidated its position as a major global panel producer, with output reaching 8.5 million m³ of wood-based panels in 2022 and an industry focus on dimensional stability, moisture resistance, and the use of recycled wood.

By 2024, the market landscape was evolving with new technical regulations for wood-based panels in Argentina, mandating quality and safety controls, while Brazilian producers pursued automation and new production line projects. Globally, increased construction activity and a consumer shift toward sustainable, engineered wood materials continued to influence demand dynamics for particle board.

Production particle board of wood in South America

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, South America produced 4,853 K m³ of particle board, marking a 3.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.1%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 3.5%.

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

Exports particle board of wood from South America

Exports in kind, K m³

Particle board exports from South America rose for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1,052 K m³, which represents a 25.2% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 150.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 35.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated South America's particle board exports. The United States accounted for 12.0% of export volume, China for 5.6%, and Mexico for 5.2%, together making up 22.8% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual contributions.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America exported $171.6 million worth of particle board, showing a modest gain of 5.6% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $162.5 million, while the peak occurred in 2018 at $181.7 million. The largest decline was in 2019 at 10.6%, and the highest increase was in 2018 at 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure for particle board was balanced rather than concentrated. Mexico represented 14.5% of export value, the United States 9.9%, and China 5.4%, together accounting for 29.9% of total flows. The remaining 70.1% was spread across many other countries.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to South America

Imports in kind, K m³

After two years of growth, South America's particle board imports declined in 2020, with approximately 377 K m³ imported, reflecting a 41.7% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 6.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 646 K m³, which also saw the largest increase at 39.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Spain, Russia, and Austria were the top sources for particle board imports to South America by volume, with shares of 3.8%, 1.1%, and 0.8%, respectively. Together, they comprised 5.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America imported $131.7 million worth of particle board, indicating a measured advance of 5.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 18.5%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at $137.3 million, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.0%, and the highest increase was in 2018 at 23.6%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, particle board imports to South America in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Spain accounted for 18.5% of import value, Russia for 5.2%, and Germany for 0.9%, jointly representing 24.6% of total flows.

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

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