Global Waferboard Market to Reach 234M Cubic Meters by 2030, Valued at $78.1B

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Driven by increasing global demand, the waferboard market is set to see significant growth with a forecasted CAGR of +2.6% in volume and +4.6% in value from 2023 to 2030. This expansion is expected to result in a market volume of 234M cubic meters and a market value of $78.1B by the end of 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for waferboards worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 234M cubic meters by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.6% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $78.1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Waferboard

In 2023, approx. 196M cubic meters of waferboards were consumed worldwide; remaining constant against the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 198M cubic meters in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global waferboard market size was estimated at $57.1B in 2023, standing approx. at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $65.4B. From 2015 to 2023, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (63M cubic meters) constituted the country with the largest volume of waferboard consumption, comprising approx. 32% of total volume. Moreover, waferboard consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (31M cubic meters), twofold. Russia (15M cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.4% share.

In China, waferboard consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (-1.4% per year) and Russia (-3.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest waferboard markets worldwide were the United States ($16.7B), China ($16.5B) and Russia ($3.9B), together accounting for 65% of the global market. Norway, Brazil, Germany, Canada, France, the UK, the Netherlands and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

France, with a CAGR of +20.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2023, the highest levels of waferboard per capita consumption was registered in Norway (1,678 cubic meters per 1000 persons), followed by the Netherlands (268 cubic meters per 1000 persons), Canada (137 cubic meters per 1000 persons) and Russia (101 cubic meters per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of waferboard was estimated at 25 cubic meters per 1000 persons.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the waferboard per capita consumption in Norway stood at +11.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+21.9% per year) and Canada (+0.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Waferboard

In 2023, the amount of waferboards produced worldwide reached 197M cubic meters, picking up by 1.9% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, waferboard production expanded slightly to $55.1B in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 8.3% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $66B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (63M cubic meters) remains the largest waferboard producing country worldwide, accounting for 32% of total volume. Moreover, waferboard production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (30M cubic meters), twofold. Russia (16M cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total production with an 8.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +1.8%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-1.4% per year) and Russia (-2.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Waferboard

For the fourth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in supplies from abroad of waferboards, which increased by 2.7% to 39M cubic meters in 2023. Over the period under review, imports showed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2023 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, waferboard imports reduced to $6.5B in 2023. Overall, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 38%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at $7B in 2022, and then fell in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2023, the Netherlands (5.6M cubic meters), followed by Belgium (3.7M cubic meters), France (3.6M cubic meters), Poland (2.4M cubic meters) and Spain (2.1M cubic meters) were the key importers of waferboards, together constituting 44% of total imports. Germany (1.7M cubic meters), Slovakia (1.6M cubic meters), Greece (1.4M cubic meters), South Korea (1.3M cubic meters), Denmark (1.1M cubic meters), Italy (1M cubic meters), Uzbekistan (1M cubic meters) and the United States (0.9M cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +32.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($652M), Poland ($365M) and Italy ($329M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, with a combined 21% share of global imports. The United States, France, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Belgium, Slovakia, Greece and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Among the main importing countries, Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +11.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average waferboard import price stood at $166 per cubic meter in 2023, dropping by -8.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $273 per cubic meter in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($391 per cubic meter), while Belgium ($23 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Waferboard

In 2023, the amount of waferboards exported worldwide expanded notably to 41M cubic meters, with an increase of 11% compared with 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2023 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, waferboard exports shrank slightly to $6.8B in 2023. Overall, total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 40%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at $7B in 2022, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

France represented the major exporting country with an export of about 12M cubic meters, which amounted to 29% of total exports. Belgium (3.9M cubic meters) held a 9.4% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (8.4%) and Thailand (7.6%). Germany (1.7M cubic meters), Russia (1.7M cubic meters), Austria (1.7M cubic meters), Spain (1.6M cubic meters), Turkey (1.1M cubic meters), Slovakia (1M cubic meters), the Netherlands (0.9M cubic meters), Belarus (0.7M cubic meters) and the Czech Republic (0.7M cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to waferboard exports from France stood at +23.0%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+26.8%), Poland (+22.3%), Russia (+14.6%), Belgium (+14.2%), Turkey (+12.9%), Slovakia (+12.4%), Spain (+9.9%), Thailand (+5.2%) and Belarus (+5.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +26.8% from 2013-2023. Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-1.1%) and Austria (-1.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2023, the share of France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Russia increased by +20, +5.8, +3.6, +1.7 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest waferboard supplying countries worldwide were Austria ($908M), Germany ($651M) and Thailand ($405M), together comprising 29% of global exports. Russia, France, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Slovakia and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +13.9%, saw 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 global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2023, the average waferboard export price amounted to $165 per cubic meter, dropping by -12.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $269 per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($534 per cubic meter), while France ($29 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+3.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform