COLOMBIA – In the first quarter 2024 (1Q-2024), Colombian imports of particleboard (PB/MDP) were up by 11.1%, increasing from USD 36.02 million in 1Q-2023 to USD 40.01 million in the corresponding period of the current year.

Despite a 4.8% decline from 1Q-2023 (USD 27.97 million), Ecuador maintained its status as the primary PB/MDP supplier country to Colombia in 1Q-2024, with exports worth USD 26.63 million, constituting 66.6% of total Colombian PB/MDP imports, down from 77.7% in 1Q-2023.

In 1Q-2024, Brazil surpassed Chile to become the second most significant PB/MDP supplier country, with exports valued at USD 6.89 million, a notable growth of 115.9%. Chile followed with USD 3.56 million, and Spain with USD 1.58 million.

In 1Q-2024, Madecentro, the foremost distributor of furniture and wood industry inputs in the nation, led PB/MDP imports, totaling USD 22.41 million. However, this marked an 11.8% decrease from 1Q-2023, amounting to USD 25.39 million, constituting 56.0% of the total imports.

Experiencing a substantial 124.6% growth from 1Q-2023, Dexco Colombia (Duratex), the primary wooden panel manufacturer in the country, became the second-largest PB/MDP importer in 1Q-2024, with imports valued at USD 6.20 million.

Maderkit, one of the country’s largest furniture manufacturers, trailed with imports valued at USD 3.45 million in 1Q-2024, marking a 31.1% growth from 1Q-2023 (USD 2.63 million).