EU: Hardboard Market 2024

Hardboard Market Size in the EU

The EU hardboard market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, picking up by 29% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% 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 +65.5% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Hardboard Production in the EU

In value terms, hardboard production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 8.2% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Hardboard Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of hardboard exported in the European Union shrank remarkably to X cubic meters, with a decrease of -26.2% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 6.8% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X cubic meters. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hardboard exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X cubic meters), distantly followed by France (X cubic meters), Poland (X cubic meters) and Belgium (X cubic meters) were the major exporters of hardboard, together creating 75% of total exports. The following exporters - Luxembourg (X cubic meters), the Netherlands (X cubic meters), Austria (X cubic meters), Spain (X cubic meters), Lithuania (X cubic meters), Finland (X cubic meters), Romania (X cubic meters) and Bulgaria (X cubic meters) - together made up 19% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Luxembourg (with a CAGR of +4.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest hardboard supplier in the European Union, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 13% share.

In Germany, hardboard exports declined by an average annual rate of -3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+4.7% per year) and Belgium (+4.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per cubic meter, with an increase of 46% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Germany ($X per cubic meter), while the Netherlands ($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 the Netherlands (+17.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hardboard Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, imports of hardboard in the European Union reduced to X cubic meters, waning by -8.1% on the previous year. In general, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 72%. 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 soared to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Belgium (X cubic meters) and the Netherlands (X cubic meters) represented the key importers of hardboard in 2022, amounting to near 20% and 17% of total imports, respectively. France (X cubic meters) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 9% share, followed by Germany (7.9%), Denmark (7.8%), Italy (5.3%), Romania (5.1%) and Lithuania (5%). Sweden (X cubic meters), Poland (X cubic meters), Bulgaria (X cubic meters), Spain (X cubic meters) and Hungary (X cubic meters) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Denmark (with a CAGR of +22.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 37% of total imports. Romania, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria, Denmark and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 48%.

Denmark, with a CAGR of +14.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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 the European Union amounted to $X per cubic meter, surging by 26% against the previous year. Import price indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, hardboard import price increased by +56.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 58% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per cubic meter. From 2014 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 Spain ($X per cubic meter), while Denmark ($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 the Netherlands (+8.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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