Particle board of wood market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The particle board market in Southern Europe experienced a sharp contraction from 2018 to 2023. Market volume peaked at 19.5 million cubic meters in 2018 before dropping by nearly half to 10.0 million cubic meters in 2019. A modest recovery to 10.8 million cubic meters followed in 2020, but a steady decline resumed thereafter, with volume falling to 7.4 million cubic meters by 2023.

Recent industry developments have centered on sustainability and regulation. In 2024, Sonae Arauco invested over €5 million in new wood recycling centers in Portugal, installing the world's first line for recycling fiberboard panels to advance circular economy practices. Simultaneously, new EU regulations effective December 2024 began requiring exporters to geolocate wood collection areas and submit due diligence statements, with non-compliance penalties up to 4% of annual turnover, directly affecting supply chain operations for wood-based panels.

Production particle board of wood in Southern 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 Southern Europe, particle board production reached 4 809 thousand cubic meters in 2020, marking an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Production had previously hit its lowest point in 2019 at 4 429 thousand cubic meters, while the peak was recorded in 2018 with 5 107 thousand cubic meters. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 13.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of particle board production in Southern Europe stood at 1 124 million US dollars in 2020, representing a strong 17.2% growth compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 21.1%, translating to an annual compound decline of 7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 959 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 485 million US dollars. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 35.4% decrease.

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

Exports particle board of wood from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K m³

Following two years of growth, Southern Europe's particle board export volumes declined in 2020. The region exported 2 513 thousand cubic meters that year, which was 10.2% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 38.1%, averaging 11.3% annual growth. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 799 thousand cubic meters, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 31.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Europe's particle board exports in volume terms were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Morocco accounted for 12.6% of exports, France for 6.4%, and the United Kingdom for 5.7%, together representing just 24.7% of total flows. The remaining 75.3% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Particle board exports from Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 587.4 million US dollars, a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value increased by 8.6%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 619.7 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Europe's particle board exports in value terms were widely dispersed among partner countries. France accounted for 14.9% of export value, the United Kingdom for 6.9%, and the United States for 4.0%, together representing only 25.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports particle board of wood to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K m³

Southern Europe's particle board import volumes declined for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 7 852 thousand cubic meters, a 6.8% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 49.8%, averaging an annual decline of 20.5%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 593 thousand cubic meters. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 49.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the dominant source for Southern Europe's particle board imports in volume terms, accounting for 61.1% of imports. France contributed 9.4% and Austria 6.0%, with these three countries together representing 76.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's particle board import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a total of 1 000 million US dollars imported, reflecting a gradual year-on-year drop of 4.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 763.2 million US dollars. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 9.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 17.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Southern Europe's particle board imports in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Austria accounted for 18.8% of import value, France for 14.5%, and Romania for 10.0%, together representing 43.4% of total flows.

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

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