MERCOSUR: Market for Wood Chips And Particles 2025

Market Size for Wood Chips And Particles in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR wood chips and particles market expanded rapidly to $X in 2022, growing by 7.3% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% 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 +40.9% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Production of Wood Chips And Particles in MERCOSUR

In value terms, wood chips and particles production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -0.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 32%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports of Wood Chips And Particles

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, shipments abroad of wood chips and particles decreased by -5.9% to X cubic meters, falling for the fourth year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 30%. The volume of export peaked at X cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wood chips and particles exports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

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 key exporters of wood chips and particles, together achieving 99% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +5.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Uruguay ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 92% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +4.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 MERCOSUR stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, growing by 5.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 13%. The level of export peaked 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 (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Wood Chips And Particles

Imports in MERCOSUR

Wood chips and particles imports declined modestly to X cubic meters in 2022, which is down by -3.5% against 2021 figures. Overall, imports, however, posted a tangible increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 112% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wood chips and particles imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 56%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X cubic meters) was the main importer of wood chips and particles, committing 67% of total imports. Venezuela (X cubic meters) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (6.5%) and Peru (4.8%). Chile (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Argentina experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of wood chips and particles. At the same time, Peru (+30.3%), Brazil (+26.7%), Venezuela (+15.4%) and Chile (+6.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +30.3% from 2012-2022. Venezuela (+11 p.p.), Brazil (+5.7 p.p.) and Peru (+4.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Argentina saw its share reduced by -22.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. 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 MERCOSUR were Argentina ($X), Brazil ($X) and Chile ($X), together accounting for 89% of total imports. Peru and Venezuela lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.6%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Peru, with a CAGR of +36.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 MERCOSUR amounted to $X per cubic meter, surging by 14% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 67%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2015 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per cubic meter), while Venezuela ($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 (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform