COLOMBIA- The value of Colombian particleboard imports (PB / MDP) reached USD 36.02 million in the first quarter of 2023 (1Q-2023), which represented a 20.8 percent drop compared to 1Q-2022 (USD 45.45 million).

Madecentro, the country’s largest distributor of materials and services for the furniture and wood industry, was again the main importer of PB/MDP in 1Q-2022 with USD 25.39 million which represented a 13.4 percent decrease from 1Q-2022 (USD 29.33 million). They also accounted for 70.5 percent of total imported PB/MDP in 1Q-2023.

Duratex, the country’s leading manufacturer of wood-based panels, was the second largest importer of PB / MDP with USD 2.76 million in 1Q-2023.

Maderkit, one of the country’s leading furniture manufacturers, was the third largest importer of PB / MDP in 1Q-2023 with USD 2.63 million, which represented a 28.8 percent drop compared to 1Q-2022 (USD 3.69 million ).

Ecuador was again the main country supplying PB / MDP to the important Colombian market in 1Q-2023, with USD 27.97 million representing a drop of 14.8 percent compared to 1Q-2022 (USD 32.83 million).

Chile surpassed Brazil and was the second supplier country with USD 3.43 million in 1Q-2023, representing a significant growth of 31.7%.

It was followed by Brazil (USD 3.19 million) and Spain (USD 879 thousand).