MERCOSUR: Hardboard Market 2025

Hardboard Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR hardboard market shrank to $X in 2022, which is down by -11.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a perceptible reduction. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Hardboard Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, hardboard production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 2.6% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Hardboard Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of hardboard decreased by -16.1% to X cubic meters in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 16%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hardboard exports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the largest exporting country with an export of about X cubic meters, which accounted for 74% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Chile (X cubic meters), making up a 24% share of total exports. Argentina (X cubic meters) held a minor share of total exports.

Brazil experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of hardboard. Argentina (-3.3%) and Chile (-3.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+6.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Chile saw its share reduced by -6.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest hardboard supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Brazil ($X), Chile ($X) and Argentina ($X), with a combined 100% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Brazil, with a CAGR of -1.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per cubic meter, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per cubic meter), while Brazil ($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 Chile (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Hardboard Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of hardboard imported in MERCOSUR fell markedly to X cubic meters, shrinking by -31.7% compared with the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X cubic meters in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hardboard imports fell markedly to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 112%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then fell notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

Chile was the largest importing country with an import of around X cubic meters, which amounted to 55% of total imports. Peru (X cubic meters) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Colombia (X cubic meters) and Ecuador (X cubic meters). All these countries together took near 37% share of total imports. Paraguay (X cubic meters) and Argentina (X cubic meters) held a little share of total imports.

Chile was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hardboard imports, with a CAGR of +12.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Paraguay (+7.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Peru (-3.4%), Colombia (-4.7%), Ecuador (-8.0%) and Argentina (-24.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Chile (+42 p.p.) and Paraguay (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Peru (-1.9 p.p.), Colombia (-3.7 p.p.), Ecuador (-3.9 p.p.) and Argentina (-18.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Chile ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported hardboard in MERCOSUR, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Peru ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Colombia, with an 11% share.

In Chile, hardboard imports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Peru (-1.7% per year) and Colombia (-7.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, reducing by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter, and then shrank in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per cubic meter), while Paraguay ($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 Peru (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform