COLOMBIA - Colombia witnessed a significant decline in the value of particleboard (PB/MDP) imports in 2023, totaling USD 137.25 million, marking a notable 23.3% decrease from the previous year's imports of USD 178.98 million.

Madecentro, the primary distributor of furniture and wood industry supplies in the country, was by far the largest importer of PB/MDP in 2023, with imports amounting to USD 89.46 million. However, this represented a 22.5% decrease from the previous year's imports of USD 115.37 million. Madecentro accounted for 65.2% of total PB/MDP imports in 2023, compared to 64.5% in 2022.

Maderkit, a significant furniture manufacturer, ranked as the second-largest importer of PB/MDP in 2023, with imports totaling USD 12.38 million, marking a 7.8% decline from the previous year's imports of USD 13.43 million.

Despite a 26.2% decrease from the previous year, Duratex/Dexco, the leading wood panel manufacturer in Colombia, maintained its position as the third-largest importer of PB/MDP in 2023, with imports totaling USD 9.62 million.

Ecuador remained the top supplier country of PB/MDP to the Colombian market in 2023, with exports totaling USD 104.01 million, a 19% decrease from the previous year's exports of USD 128.47 million. Ecuadorian exports represented 75.8% of total Colombian PB/MDP imports in 2023, compared to 71.8% in 2022.

Chile retained its position as the second most relevant supplying country in 2023, with exports valued at USD 14.13 million, followed by Brazil with USD 11.17 million, and Spain with USD 3.74 million.