Australia: Mdf Market 2025

Mdf Market Size in Australia

After two years of decline, the Australian MDF market increased by 17% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Mdf Production in Australia

In value terms, MDF production rose rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Mdf Exports

Exports from Australia

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of MDF decreased by -53% to X cubic meters in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 80% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X cubic meters in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, MDF exports fell notably to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X cubic meters), China (X cubic meters) and New Zealand (X cubic meters) were the main destinations of MDF exports from Australia, with a combined 72% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +111.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the United States ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for MDF exports from Australia, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by New Zealand, with an 18% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States stood at +97.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (-13.2% per year) and New Zealand (+18.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average MDF export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2021, rising by 29% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, MDF export price decreased by -25.9% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 64% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to South Korea ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+12.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mdf Imports

Imports into Australia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of MDF was finally on the rise to reach X cubic meters for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 63% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, MDF imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X cubic meters) constituted the largest MDF supplier to Australia, accounting for a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, MDF imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Malaysia (X cubic meters), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by New Zealand (X cubic meters), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +15.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (+0.2% per year) and New Zealand (+10.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of MDF to Australia, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +14.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Malaysia (+0.1% per year) and Germany (+9.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average MDF import price amounted to $X per cubic meter, increasing by 4.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 4.7%. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per cubic meter), while the price for New Zealand ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+15.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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