Particle board of wood market in South Korea, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The particle board market in South Korea opened the period at 940.6 million m³ in 2018, but volume contracted sharply to 706.3 million m³ in 2019 as competitive pressure from rising Thai imports began reshaping the landscape. The decline continued to 698.2 million m³ in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting supply chains, causing labor shortages, and delaying construction projects, although some support came from increased government investment in public building retrofits.

A strong rebound followed in 2021, driving the market to 832.5 million m³, fueled by the sustained availability of low-cost Thai products through dumping practices and growing demand for energy-efficient construction materials. This recovery was interrupted in 2022 as volume fell to 724.8 million m³, coinciding with mounting industry calls for preliminary anti-dumping duties that created import uncertainty. The market partially recovered to 769.9 million m³ in 2023, supported by major domestic and international companies expanding production facilities and launching new products, while consumer preferences increasingly shifted towards more durable and aesthetically finished laminated or painted particle board.

Production particle board of wood in South Korea

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea maintained the 23rd position globally in particle board of wood production volume.

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

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

South Korea's particle board of wood production volume increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, production reached 857.0 K m³, up 6.2% from 2019. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 807.0 K m³, which saw the largest decline of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, South Korea's particle board of wood output was valued at 994 K $ US, a modest gain of 7.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 6.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 924 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 1 073 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 13.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Korea in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports particle board of wood from South Korea

Exports in kind, M m³

After a two-year increase, South Korea's particle board of wood export volumes declined. In 2020, exports totaled 0.8 M m³, a fall of 2.3% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 14%, with a CAGR of 4.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.8 M m³, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea's export structure in kind was strongly focused on Japan, which accounted for 75.7% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Particle board of wood deliveries from South Korea declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.9 M $ US, a decline of 1.1% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 21.2%, with a CAGR of 6.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 32.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan dominated South Korea's exports in value terms, accounting for 81.9% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to South Korea

Imports in kind, M m³

Imported particle board of wood volumes in South Korea declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 698.1 M m³, a small decline of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 23.5%, with a CAGR of 8.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 940.5 M m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand played the leading role in South Korea's imports in kind, with a share of 81.8% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South Korea's particle board of wood import volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 143.4 M $ US, a gradual drop of 3.7% relative to the prior year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 39.4%, with a CAGR of 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand consistently accounted for 81.5% of South Korea's total imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the rest shared among other countries.

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

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