The revenue of the mdf market in China amounted to $19B in 2017, coming down by -8.8% against the previous year, according to a report by IndexBox.

(IndexBox has just published a new report, the China – MDF – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.)

This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, mdf consumption continues to indicate a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, with an increase of 28% year-to-year. The mdf consumption peaked of $23B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2017, it failed to regain its momentum.

Exports from China

In 2017, approx. 2.4M cubic meters of mdf were exported from China; approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, mdf exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011, when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. The exports peaked of 3.2M cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2017, it failed to regain its momentum.

In value terms, mdf exports totaled $1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2017. Overall, the total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2007 to 2017: its value increased at an average annual rate of +0.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2017 figures, the mdf exports decreased by -30.0% against 2014 indices. Over the period under review, the mdf exports attained its peak figure level of $1.5B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2017, it failed to regain its momentum.

Exports by Country

Russia (307M cubic meters), the U.S. (298M cubic meters) and Saudi Arabia (222M cubic meters) were the main destinations of mdf exports from China.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Ethiopia (+44.9% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, largest markets for mdf exported from China were the U.S. ($215M), Russia ($183M) and Saudi Arabia ($73M), together accounting for 46% of total exports. These countries were followed by Nigeria, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Viet Nam, Australia, Iran, Japan, Egypt and Ethiopia, which together accounted for a further 29%.

Export Prices by Country

The average mdf export price stood at $431 per cubic meter in 2017, waning by -6.9% against the previous year. Over the period from 2007 to 2017, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%.

Export prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest export price was Australia ($750 per thousand cubic meters), while average price for exports to Egypt ($327 per thousand cubic meters) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was recorded for supplies to Viet Nam (+3.1% per year), the export prices for other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into China

In 2017, approx. 170K cubic meters of mdf were imported into China; shrinking by -8.3% against the previous year.

In value terms, mdf imports amounted to $103M (IndexBox estimates) in 2017.

Imports by Country

New Zealand (39M cubic meters), Germany (28M cubic meters) and Switzerland (14M cubic meters) were the main suppliers of mdf imports to China.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Germany (+23.5% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($27M), Belgium ($19M) and New Zealand ($18M) were the largest mdf suppliers to China, with a combined 61% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

The average mdf import price stood at $604 per cubic meter in 2017, jumping by 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price indicated a strong growth from 2007 to 2017: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2017 figures, the mdf import price increased by +18.0% against 2015 indices.

Import prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest import price was Belgium ($1,389 per thousand cubic meters), while prices for mdf imports from Brazil ($325 per thousand cubic meters) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by Thailand (+3.6% per year), the import prices for other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.