Particle board of wood market in Southern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the particle board market in Southern Africa expanded from 951 thousand m³ to 1,059 thousand m³. This growth was supported by particle board's use in key sectors like shopfitting, kitchen manufacturing, and furniture, alongside a rising consumer preference for sustainable materials that bolstered wood product demand.

After peaking in 2020, market volume contracted to 807 thousand m³ by 2023. Supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 delayed the commissioning of new manufacturing facilities, constraining available supply. During this period, major industry players like FX Group invested in a biomass power plant to support sustainable production, while PG Bison announced new MDF capacity, signaling long-term industry investment.

Entering 2024, the market is influenced by FX Group's expansion across six provinces and PG Bison's investments in resin and board production. Consumer preferences continue to shift toward durable, sustainably manufactured particle board, driven by furniture design trends that emphasize minimal waste and green materials.

Production particle board of wood in Southern Africa

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 Southern Africa, particle board production reached 1 060 thousand cubic meters in 2020, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% change, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of particle board production in Southern Africa stood at 284.3 million US dollars in 2020, marking a substantial year-over-year increase of 24.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 227.7 million US dollars, which also saw the most significant decline of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports particle board of wood from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

Particle board exports from Southern Africa declined for the second year in a row, with shipments totaling 99.6 thousand cubic meters in 2020, representing a solid decrease of 18.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 172.1 thousand cubic meters, which also recorded the largest increase of 25.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 29.4% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Africa's export partners for particle board in volume terms were diverse. Australia accounted for 17.0% of exports, Zimbabwe for 15.7%, and Mozambique for 14.1%, with these three countries together making up 46.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Africa's particle board exports in value terms amounted to 26 716 thousand US dollars, showing a slight year-over-year gain of 2.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -5.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 26 112 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 37.6%. The highest value was in 2018 at 41 850 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 30.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Africa's export partners for particle board in value terms were varied. Zimbabwe represented 20.4% of exports, Australia 16.7%, and Zambia 10.3%, with these three countries together accounting for 47.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

Import levels for particle board in Southern Africa showed irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2020, imports were recorded at 98.9 thousand cubic meters, down 7.9% from the previous year. The highest volume was in 2019 at 107.4 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 178.1%. The lowest volume was in 2017, with imports fluctuating 2.9 times between the 2017 low and the 2019 high.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, there was no single dominant source for particle board imports into Southern Africa. Turkey accounted for 2.5% of imports in volume, Austria for 2.0%, and Germany for 1.8%, with these three countries together making up only 6.3% of total imports, while many smaller partners each held modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Africa's particle board imports in value terms totaled 13 880 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 24.7% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 11 131 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 22.5%. The highest value was in 2018 at 14 355 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Africa's import partners for particle board in value terms were diverse. Austria accounted for 4.4% of imports, Germany for 3.4%, and Spain for 2.0%, with these three countries together representing 9.8% of total flows.

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

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