ECUADOR – Ecuadorian imports of decorative papers for wood panel surfaces reached USD 19.17 million in the first four months of 2022 (4M-2022), a relevant 74.9 percent above the same period of 2021 (4M-2021: USD 10.96 million).

Likewise with respect to 4M-2019, Ecuadorian imports of decorative papers for laminating wood-based panels presented a remarkable growth of 146 percent (4M-2019: USD 7.79 million).

Novopan del Ecuador, one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of particleboard (MDP) in Latin America, was the leading importer of decorative papers in 4M-2022 with USD 17.39 million, up 80.4 percent compared to 4M-2021 (USD 9.64 million) and 163.9 percent more than in 4M-2019 (USD 6.59 million).

Imports of decorative papers from Aglomerados Cotopaxi, the other Ecuadorian wood panel manufacturer, reached USD 1.77 million in 4M-2022 compared to USD 1.32 million in 4M-2021 (+34.7 percent).

Impress and Schattdecor were the main supplier brands in 4M-2022 with USD 8.24 million and USD 4.36 million respectively, representing increases of 90.1 percent and 38.9 percent.

Austria (USD 7.91 million), Spain (USD 4.78 million) and Italy (USD 4.19 million) were the three main supplier countries of decorative papers for the Ecuadorian market in 4M-2022.