Fibreboard Market

The global fibreboard market is forecasted to grow steadily in consumption and value terms from 2022 to 2030, led by China. MDF is the dominant product in both consumption and production. Imports and exports have also shown significant growth trends over the years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for fibreboard worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 204M cubic meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $102.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Fibreboard

After three years of growth, consumption of fibreboard decreased by -1.2% to 153M cubic meters in 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 155M cubic meters in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

The global fibreboard market size dropped slightly to $92.3B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $100.7B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (60M cubic meters) remains the largest fibreboard consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 39% of total volume. Moreover, fibreboard consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (8.6M cubic meters), sevenfold. Brazil (6.8M cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 4.4% share.

In China, fibreboard consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-0.1% per year) and Brazil (+1.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($26.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($3.4B). It was followed by Germany.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (-1.3% per year) and Germany (+1.3% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of fibreboard per capita consumption was registered in Belgium (261 cubic meters per 1000 persons), followed by Poland (125 cubic meters per 1000 persons), Germany (65 cubic meters per 1000 persons) and Turkey (60 cubic meters per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of fibreboard was estimated at 0.3 cubic meters per 1000 persons.

In Belgium, fibreboard per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +19.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+6.0% per year) and Germany (+1.5% per year).

Consumption By Type

MDF (103M cubic meters) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 69% of total volume. Moreover, MDF exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, insulating board (29M cubic meters), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of MDF consumption stood at +1.7%. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: insulating board (-0.6% per year) and hardboard (+1.8% per year).

In value terms, MDF ($49.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by hardboard ($9B).

For MDF, market increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012-2022. With regard to the other consumed products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: hardboard (-0.4% per year) and insulating board (-2.7% per year).

Production

World Production of Fibreboard

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was decline in production of fibreboard, when its volume decreased by -1.5% to 153M cubic meters. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 5.5%. Global production peaked at 155M cubic meters in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, fibreboard production declined modestly to $59.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 9.1%. Global production peaked at $69.6B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of fibreboard production was China (62M cubic meters), accounting for 41% of total volume. Moreover, fibreboard production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (7.7M cubic meters), eightfold. Germany (7M cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Brazil (+2.2% per year) and Germany (+1.1% per year).

Production By Type

MDF (103M cubic meters) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, accounting for 72% of total volume. Moreover, MDF exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, insulating board (28M cubic meters), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of MDF production amounted to +1.6%. With regard to the other produced products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: insulating board (-0.9% per year) and hardboard (-2.0% per year).

In value terms, MDF ($50.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by insulating board ($7.6B).

For MDF, production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: insulating board (-2.9% per year) and hardboard (-3.9% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Fibreboard

In 2022, purchases abroad of fibreboard decreased by -2.2% to 30M cubic meters for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. In general, total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +57.6% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 18%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 30M cubic meters, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, fibreboard imports rose sharply to $13.2B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The United States (3.2M cubic meters), Belgium (3M cubic meters), the Netherlands (2.4M cubic meters), France (1.6M cubic meters), Denmark (1.2M cubic meters), Germany (1M cubic meters), Saudi Arabia (0.9M cubic meters), Spain (0.9M cubic meters), Italy (0.9M cubic meters), Poland (0.9M cubic meters), the UK (0.8M cubic meters) and the United Arab Emirates (0.6M cubic meters) represented roughly 59% of total imports in 2022. Japan (538K cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Denmark (with a CAGR of +22.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2.1B) constitutes the largest market for imported fibreboard worldwide, comprising 16% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($623M), with a 4.7% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 4.6% share.

In the United States, fibreboard imports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+5.6% per year) and Germany (+3.6% per year).

Imports By Type

In 2022, MDF (16M cubic meters) and hardboard (13M cubic meters) represented the key types of fibreboardin the world, together finishing at near 83% of total imports. It was distantly followed by insulating board (5.9M cubic meters), mixing up a 17% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for hardboard (with a CAGR of +12.6%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, MDF ($9.5B) constitutes the largest type of fibreboard imported worldwide, comprising 74% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by hardboard ($2.4B), with a 19% share of global imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of MDF imports amounted to +4.6%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: hardboard (+0.3% per year) and insulating board (-0.3% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average fibreboard import price stood at $444 per cubic meter in 2022, growing by 7.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $511 per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was MDF ($597 per cubic meter), while the price for insulating board ($145 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by MDF (+2.1%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

The average fibreboard import price stood at $444 per cubic meter in 2022, surging by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 10%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $511 per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($761 per cubic meter), while Denmark ($113 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+1.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Fibreboard

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of fibreboard, when their volume decreased by -3.8% to 29M cubic meters. Overall, total exports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +49.0% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 31M cubic meters, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, fibreboard exports rose slightly to $13.5B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Thailand (3.3M cubic meters), Germany (2.6M cubic meters), China (2.5M cubic meters), Poland (1.9M cubic meters), Belgium (1.9M cubic meters), the Netherlands (1.8M cubic meters), France (1.6M cubic meters), Turkey (1.6M cubic meters) and Spain (1.5M cubic meters), together resulting at 64% of total export. The following exporters - Brazil (902K cubic meters), the United States (889K cubic meters), Russia (789K cubic meters) and Ireland (785K cubic meters) - each resulted at an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +22.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($2B), China ($1.2B) and Poland ($914M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 31% share of global exports. Thailand, Turkey, Belgium, Spain, Russia, France, Brazil, Ireland, the United States and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +15.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

MDF was the main type of fibreboard in the world, with the volume of exports accounting for 16M cubic meters, which was approx. 55% of total exports in 2022. Hardboard (7.8M cubic meters) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by insulating board (5.1M cubic meters). All these products together held near 45% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to MDF exports of stood at +1.3%. At the same time, insulating board (+8.0%) and hardboard (+7.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, insulating board emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +8.0% from 2012-2022. Hardboard (+8.4 p.p.) and insulating board (+5.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while MDF saw its share reduced by -14.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, MDF ($9.3B) remains the largest type of fibreboard supplied worldwide, comprising 71% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by hardboard ($2.9B), with a 22% share of global exports.

For MDF, exports expanded at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: hardboard (+1.6% per year) and insulating board (+0.6% per year).

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average fibreboard export price amounted to $458 per cubic meter, growing by 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $501 per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was MDF ($581 per cubic meter), while the average price for exports of insulating board ($180 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by MDF (+2.5%), while the other products experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

The average fibreboard export price stood at $458 per cubic meter in 2022, surging by 8.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $501 per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($775 per cubic meter), while the Netherlands ($80 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+1.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform