Veneer sheets market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

The Iranian market for veneer sheets showed significant swings between 2018 and 2023, with domestic production holding steady at 6,000 m³. The initial expansion to 28,629 m³ in 2019 was driven by the continued influx of higher-quality imported sheets from Russia, India, and Southeast Asia, which began entering the market the previous year. This period also saw new domestic investment, such as the Ararat Maku cooperative, which launched production with tax incentives.

Market volume contracted sharply from 2020, influenced by import restrictions and exchange rate volatility that reduced the availability of foreign veneer. Concurrently, demand increased for waterproof and coated veneer for construction and furniture applications. In 2021, the use of veneer in concrete formwork and building grew, highlighting its structural utility even as import constraints limited overall supply.

A partial recovery to 14,641 m³ occurred in 2022, supported by the adoption of melamine and laminated coatings to improve product durability and by strengthened cooperation with reputable state and private companies. By 2023, the market volume adjusted to 12,657 m³, reflecting the ongoing adjustments in import flows.

Production veneer sheets in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of veneer sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of veneer sheets, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iran produced 6 000 m³ of veneer sheets, maintaining the same level as in 2019. The largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, with no change recorded at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iran in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports veneer sheets from Iran

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume occurred in 2017, while the highest was recorded in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 24 times. In 2020, veneer sheet exports from Iran reached 7 423 m³, marking a sharp year-on-year increase of 924.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 68.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Iran in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, Afghanistan was the primary destination for exports in kind, accounting for 72.0% of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with volumes varying 8.5 times between these years. In 2020, foreign veneer sheet supplies from Iran amounted to 553 K $ US, representing a significant improvement of 555.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 591 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 85.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 751.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, exports in value terms of veneer sheets from Iran were largely oriented towards Afghanistan and Azerbaijan, whose combined share reached 84.1% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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

Imports veneer sheets to Iran

Imports in kind, m³

After a two-year increase, veneer sheet imports into Iran declined. In 2020, Iran imported approximately 19 650 m³ of veneer sheets, showing a strong drop of 15.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 43%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.7%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 23 353 m³, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 49.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Iran in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (55.7% of imports in kind), China (20.2% of imports in kind), and the United Arab Emirates (12.7% of imports in kind) consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in kind, jointly accounting for 88.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, imported veneer sheet volumes into Iran amounted to 9 369 K $ US, down by 34.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 826 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 14 233 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 35.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 61.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Turkey (46.4% of imports in value terms), China (22.8% of imports in value terms), and Indonesia (10.7% of imports in value terms) led the ranking of suppliers of veneer sheets to Iran, with their combined share reaching 79.9% of total imports in value terms.

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

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