Exports of wood products such as particleboard, MDF and OSB, traditionally uncompetitive at the international level, increased significantly as manufacturers were forced to turn to export markets in the face of weak domestic consumption.
A measure of success was achieved with exports especially to the US as the housing market is recovering. Demand in the US was behind the rise in pine sawnwood exports while the gains in plywood exports were driven mainly by rising demand in Europe.
Although wood products export volumes are rising and further gains are projected the competitiveness of Brazilian companies is being affected by record inflation which continues to push up internal costs.
