Chile Leads Plywood Board Exports to the U.S. and Surpasses Brazil in 2024
According to data from the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) published by the Forestry Institute (Infor), Chile solidified its position in 2023 and 2024 as the top supplier of coniferous plywood boards to the U.S. market, displacing Brazil from the first place it had held in previous years.
In 2024, U.S. imports from Chile reached 245 million dollars CIF, accounting for 33.1% of the total. Meanwhile, Brazil contributed 242.8 million dollars, with a share of 32.8%. Canada, a traditional competitor, ranked third with 19.8% of imports, followed by China (6.1%) and Uruguay (4.0%).
The data show a significant shift compared to 2020 and 2021, when Chile held second place with less than 24% of the market, while Brazil exceeded 37%. However, in the last biennium, the national industry managed to position itself as the leader, with shares of 32.7% in 2023 and 33.1% in 2024, compared to 28.6% and 32.8% for the Brazilian industry.
A Key and Competitive Market
The United States has been the world's leading importer of this product since 2012, accounting for 28.5% of global purchases in 2024, according to the International Trade Centre (ITC).
However, the U.S. government's trade policy has sought to reduce its dependence on imports through protectionist tariff measures, leading to the imposition of additional duties and bilateral negotiations with exporting countries, including Brazil and Canada.
Challenges for the Chilean Industry
Chile's leadership in this market opens an opportunity to consolidate the national timber industry's position in the United States. However, uncertainties persist due to the international context, marked by trade tensions, potential tariff adjustments, and pressure from competitors with strong production presence.
For now, the performance in 2023 and 2024 confirms that Chile not only managed to regain ground but also became the main supplier of coniferous plywood boards in the world's largest market.
