ECUADOR – Ecuador’s exports of particleboard / MDP from January to August 2024 (8M-2024) have experienced a slight overall decline compared to the previous year. Total exports reached USD 132.9 million, a 2.4% decrease from USD 136.2 million in 2023.

Colombia continues to be the largest market for Ecuadorian particleboard, with exports valued at USD 71.7 million this year, down 2.5% from USD 73.6 million in 8M-2023. Exports to Peru, the second external market in importance, declined by 11.7%, totaling USD 43.5 million, compared to USD 49.2 million in same period last year.

In contrast, exports to the USA and Mexico saw impressive growth. Exports to the USA increased by 35.7%, reaching USD 3.6 million, while Mexico experienced a rise of 28.3%, totaling USD 3.5 million.

Panama’s exports grew by 4.7% to USD 3.1 million, and the Dominican Republic saw a substantial increase of 57.6%, reaching USD 2.1 million. Additionally, other markets reported a growth of 44.4%, totaling USD 5.4 million.

In terms of exporter performance, Novopan del Ecuador remains by far the leading exporter with USD 130.9 million, although this represents a slight 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Aglomerados Cotopaxi showed resilience with a 5.7% increase in exports, totaling USD 1.9 million.

Overall, while Ecuador’s particleboard exports faced challenges in some traditional markets, the growth in the USA, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic highlights potential opportunities for recovery and market diversification.