BRAZIL – As reported by IBA (Brazilian Tree Industry), in 2021 the consumption of wood-based panels (Particleboard/MDP, MDF and Hardboard) in Brazil reached 8.25 million m3, an increase of 15.4 percent compared to the 7.15 million m3 reached in 2020.

Wood-based panel consumption in 2021 constitutes the highest historical annual consumption in Brazil. This is despite a 2.4 percent drop in wood-based panel consumption in 4Q-2021, from 2.11 million m3 in 4Q-2020 to 2.06 million m3 in the same period 2021.

In 2021, consolidated sales in Brazil’s domestic market reached 8.21 million m3, a 15.0 percent improvement compared to 2020 (7.13 million m3).

Brazilian wood-based panel export values in 2021 reached USD 347.3 million, representing a 25.6 percent growth compared to USD 276.5 million exported in 2020.

Latin America was the main regional export market for Brazilian wood-based panels in 2021, with USD 198.0 million (2020: USD 142.4 million), which represented a strong improvement of 39.0 percent. The North American market followed in importance with USD 109.6 million and an increase of 25.5 percent compared to 2020 (USD 87.3 million). China, although down 23.3 percent, was the third largest market for Brazilian wood panel exports, falling from USD 20.6 million in 2020 to USD 15.8 million in 2021.

In 2021, the volumes exported by Brazilian wood panel manufacturers showed a slight increase of 0.6 percent with 1.09 million m3 compared to 1.08 million m3 exported in 2020.