Veneer sheets market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian veneer sheets market expanded from 420.7 thousand m³ in 2018 to 556.0 thousand m³ in 2020, a 32% increase over two years, while production surged by 78% in 2020 alone to 191.3 thousand m³.

Following the peak, market volume contracted sharply to 329.3 thousand m³ in 2021 and continued declining to 205.7 thousand m³ in 2023. During this period, regulatory developments included a 36% rebate for eco-friendly products and packaging introduced in 2023, alongside the announced EUDR regulation set to ban deforestation-linked wood products from the EU market starting in 2025.

A recovery emerged in 2024, with market volume rising 47% to 302.5 thousand m³. This turnaround coincided with a leading producer boosting veneer production capacity by 20% and improving plant efficiency by 12%, alongside the launch of new product lines such as UL-certified fire-resistant plywood, whose sales grew 47%, and composite plywood with recycled wood fibers that cut costs by 10% and enhanced moisture resistance.

Production veneer sheets in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked as the 23rd largest producer of veneer sheets globally.

Top producers of veneer sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of veneer sheets, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 0.1 million cubic meters, then surged to 0.2 million cubic meters in 2020, marking a sharp 78.2% increase from the previous year. This created a 1.8-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 12.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports veneer sheets from Italy

Exports in kind, K m³

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2019 at 112.6 thousand cubic meters, then fell to 97.6 thousand cubic meters in 2020, a decrease of 13.3% from the previous year. This resulted in a 2.6-fold amplitude between the highest and lowest points from 2017 to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 107.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Germany, and Romania were the top buyers of veneer sheets from Italy, accounting for 11.9%, 10.8%, and 10.6% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 33.3% of total exports, but no single partner dominated, with the rest spread across many smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's veneer sheet exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 123.5 million US dollars, down 32.5% year-over-year. The peak was in 2019 at 183.0 million US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3%, averaging a 1.0% annual growth rate. The largest rise occurred in 2018, at 26.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export value was widely distributed among countries. The United States, Germany, and France were the leading destinations, contributing 13.8%, 10.8%, and 6.7% of export value, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 31.2% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Imports veneer sheets to Italy

Imports in kind, K m³

Italy's veneer sheet imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 462.2 thousand cubic meters, up 1.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 98.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports in kind were spread across many countries. Austria, Germany, and Cameroon were the largest sources, making up 18.4%, 13.6%, and 8.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 40.7% of total flows, while the remaining 59.3% came from a diverse range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's veneer sheet import value rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 203.0 million US dollars, showing a modest 7.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cameroon, Austria, and Germany were the top suppliers of veneer sheets to Italy in value terms, contributing 11.6%, 9.1%, and 8.7% of imports, respectively. Their combined share was 29.3% of total imports, indicating a diversified country structure with no single supplier dominating.

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

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