ECUADOR - Ecuadorian exports of particleboard / MDP reached USD 26.7 million in the first three months of 2018 (1Q-2018), an increase of 13.8% compared to the same period of 2017 (USD 23.5 million).

Consolidated exports to Colombia and Peru, the main export markets for Ecuadorean particleboard, reached USD 25.8 million in 1Q-2018, and accounted for 96.6% of total exports (1Q-2017: 94.7%).

Exports to Colombia reached USD 15.9 million in 1Q-2018 (1Q-2017: USD 14.4 million), a growth of 10.4%, compared to the same period of 2017. Exports to Peru had the best performance in the first months of 2018, amounting to USD 9.9 million, an increase of 25.9% compared to USD 7.8 million in the 1Q-2017.

Exports to Panama, the third external market Ecuadorian particleboard / MDP, fell by 9.7%, while exports to Bolivia, the fourth market, increased by 26.4% in 1Q-2018.

Exports of Novopan del Ecuador, the largest Ecuadorian manufacturer of particleboard / MDP reached USD 26.2 million in 1Q-2018, compared with USD 22.8 million in 1Q-2017, a growth of 14.9%.