U.S.: Hardboard Market 2024

Hardboard Market Size in the U.S.

In 2022, after six years of decline, there was significant growth in the U.S. hardboard market, when its value increased by 46% to $X. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable slump. Hardboard consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Hardboard Production in the U.S.

In value terms, hardboard production declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, production showed a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 355% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Hardboard Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, shipments abroad of hardboard decreased by -13.4% to X cubic meters for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 60% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X cubic meters in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, hardboard exports fell to $X in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +36.5% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 54%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

Canada (X cubic meters) was the main destination for hardboard exports from the United States, accounting for a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, hardboard exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mexico (X cubic meters), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada amounted to +5.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+20.6% per year) and the UK (+12.1% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X), Mexico ($X) and the UK ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for hardboard exported from the United States worldwide, with a combined 95% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Mexico, with a CAGR of +23.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average hardboard export price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, surging by 4.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2019 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Canada ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mexico (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Hardboard Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, supplies from abroad of hardboard increased by 5% to X cubic meters, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports posted strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 64%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, hardboard imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 35%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Canada (X cubic meters), Brazil (X cubic meters) and Germany (X cubic meters) were the main suppliers of hardboard imports to the United States, together accounting for 82% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Germany (with a CAGR of +29.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of hardboard to the United States, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada totaled +13.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+1.1% per year) and China (+1.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average hardboard import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Belgium ($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 China (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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