Latin America and the Caribbean: Market for Wood Chips And Particles 2025

Market Size for Wood Chips And Particles in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American wood chips and particles market totaled $X in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. The total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +21.1% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Production of Wood Chips And Particles in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, wood chips and particles production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +3.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Wood Chips And Particles

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, shipments abroad of wood chips and particles decreased by -5.8% to X cubic meters, falling for the fourth consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wood chips and particles exports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Chile (X cubic meters), distantly followed by Brazil (X cubic meters), Uruguay (X cubic meters) and Venezuela (X cubic meters) represented the largest exporters of wood chips and particles, together achieving 100% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Brazil (with a CAGR of +5.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Uruguay ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 91% of total exports.

Uruguay, with a CAGR of +4.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, surging by 5.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Uruguay ($X per cubic meter) and Brazil ($X per cubic meter), while Chile ($X per cubic meter) and Venezuela ($X per cubic meter) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Venezuela (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Wood Chips And Particles

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of wood chips and particles, when their volume decreased by -39.7% to X cubic meters. In general, imports, however, recorded notable growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 319% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X cubic meters, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

In value terms, wood chips and particles imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 88%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Honduras was the largest importing country with an import of about X cubic meters, which reached 64% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X cubic meters) and Haiti (X cubic meters), together generating a 22% share of total imports. Brazil (X cubic meters) and Venezuela (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Honduras was also the fastest-growing in terms of the wood chips and particles imports, with a CAGR of +62.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+31.4%), Venezuela (+7.5%) and Haiti (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Argentina (-11.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Honduras (+64 p.p.) and Brazil (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Argentina (-53.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest wood chips and particles importing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean were Argentina ($X), Brazil ($X) and Honduras ($X), together comprising 64% of total imports.

Honduras, with a CAGR of +72.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per cubic meter, with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a notable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 122%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2020 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per cubic meter), while Honduras ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+14.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :