U.S. Particle Board Price Bottoms at $407 per Cubic Meter, Declining for Three Consecutive Months

U.S. Particle Board Import Price July 2022

In July 2022, the average particle board import price amounted to $407 per cubic meter, dropping by -18.8% against the previous month. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in February 2022 an increase of 22% month-to-month. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $684 per cubic meter in April 2022; however, from May 2022 to July 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In July 2022, the country with the highest price was Romania ($440 per cubic meter), while the price for Latvia ($220 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to July 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

U.S. Particle Board Import Prices by Type

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplied products. In July 2022, the products with the highest prices were wooden particle board ($481 per cubic meter) and particle board and similar board of ligneous materials (excluding wood) ($431 per cubic meter), while the price for waferboards ($380 per cubic meter) and oriented strandboard (osb) ($411 per cubic meter) were amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to July 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by waferboard (+4.8%), while the prices for the other products experienced a decline.

U.S. Particle Board Imports

In July 2022, approximately 598K cubic meters of particle boards were imported into the United States; waning by -17.6% against June 2022 figures. In general, total imports indicated slight growth from January 2022 to July 2022: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.3% over the last six months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on July 2022 figures, imports decreased by -24.8% against March 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in March 2022 when imports increased by 60% month-to-month. As a result, imports attained the peak of 796K cubic meters. From April 2022 to July 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, particle board imports contracted markedly to $243M (IndexBox estimates) in July 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2022 with an increase of 83% month-to-month. As a result, imports attained the peak of $542M. From April 2022 to July 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

U.S. Particle Board Imports by Type

In July 2022, oriented strandboard (osb) (506K cubic meters) constituted the largest type of particle board supplied to the United States, with a 85% share of total imports. Moreover, oriented strandboard (osb) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, waferboards (91K cubic meters), sixfold. Wooden particle board (916 cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total imports with less than 0.1% share.

From January 2022 to July 2022, the average monthly growth rate of the volume of import of oriented strandboard (osb) amounted to +1.7%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: waferboards (-0.8% per month) and wooden particle board (-12.2% per month).

In value terms, oriented strandboard (osb) ($208M) constituted the largest type of particle board supplied to the United States, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by waferboards ($35M), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by wooden particle board, with less than 0.1% share.

U.S. Particle Board Imports by Country

In July 2022, Canada (513K cubic meters) constituted the largest supplier of particle board to the United States, with a 86% share of total imports. Moreover, particle board imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Latvia (18K cubic meters), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Romania (14K cubic meters), with less than 0.1% share.

From January 2022 to July 2022, the average monthly growth rate of volume from Canada was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Latvia (-0.3% per month) and Romania (+317.5% per month).

In value terms, Canada ($218M) constituted the largest supplier of particle board to the United States, comprising 90% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Romania ($6M), with less than 0.1% share of total imports. It was followed by Latvia, with less than 0.1% share.

From January 2022 to July 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Canada stood at -2.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Romania (+198.9% per month) and Latvia (-7.6% per month).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform