IndexBox has just published a new report: U.S. - Plywood - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

Key Findings
-- US plywood consumption rebounded in 2024 to 13M cubic meters, ending a two-year decline, with a stable market value of $8B
-- Market forecast projects modest growth to 14M cubic meters and $8.6B by 2035, with CAGRs of +0.4% (volume) and +0.7% (value)
-- Imports supply a significant portion (5M cubic meters), led by Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia, with Vietnam and Cambodia showing the fastest import value growth
-- US production (8.9M cubic meters) remains below its 2017 peak, indicating continued reliance on foreign supply
-- Major export markets are Canada and Mexico, though average export prices have seen a noticeable decline since 2016

Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for plywood in the United States, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 14M cubic meters by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +0.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $8.6B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption
United States's Consumption of Plywood In 2024, consumption of plywood increased by 2.8% to 13M cubic meters for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at 16M cubic meters in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the plywood market in the United States stood at $8B in 2024, remaining stable against 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). Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $12.8B. From 2017 to 2024, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production
United States's Production of Plywood
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was growth in production of plywood, when its volume increased by 1.8% to 8.9M cubic meters. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak volume at 12M cubic meters in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plywood production dropped modestly to $5.3B in 2024. Overall, production, however, saw a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 54%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $10.5B. From 2017 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports
United States's Imports of Plywood
In 2024, the amount of plywood imported into the United States totaled 5M cubic meters, surging by 4.5% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports showed a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 62%. Imports peaked at 6.3M cubic meters in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plywood imports expanded sharply to $2.9B in 2024. Overall, imports continue to indicate noticeable growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 78% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $4.4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country
Brazil (855K cubic meters), Vietnam (796K cubic meters) and Indonesia (747K cubic meters) were the main suppliers of plywood imports to the United States, together comprising 48% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +35.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest plywood suppliers to the United States were Vietnam ($462M), Canada ($455M) and Indonesia ($381M), together accounting for 45% of total imports. Brazil, Chile, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Russia and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +43.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average plywood import price amounted to $577 per cubic meter, growing by 3.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 25% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $774 per cubic meter in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Cambodia ($1.5 thousand per cubic meter), while the price for Spain ($231 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cambodia (+7.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Exports
United States's Exports of Plywood

In 2024, the amount of plywood exported from the United States totaled 611K cubic meters, picking up by 2.7% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports, however, showed a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 196% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 784K cubic meters in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plywood exports fell modestly to $271M in 2024. In general, exports, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $444M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country
Canada (286K cubic meters), Mexico (190K cubic meters) and Bahamas (32K cubic meters) were the main destinations of plywood exports from the United States, with a combined 83% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahamas (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. In value terms, Canada ($137M) remains the key foreign market for plywood exports from the United States, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($65M), with a 24% share of total exports. It was followed by Bahamas, with a 6.1% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Canada stood at -3.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+0.7% per year) and Bahamas (+5.5% per year).

Export Prices By Country
The average plywood export price stood at $443 per cubic meter in 2024, dropping by -2.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 142%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1.5 thousand per cubic meter. From 2017 to 2024, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($786 per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($339 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Australia (+0.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence