MDF import substitution is advancing in Mexico with three plants now fully operational
5 August 2019The three new MDF plants installed in Mexico by Proteak, Duraplay and Masisa - now Arauco - since 2016 are now fully operational and the process of import substitution of MDF panels in the Mexican market has advanced.
According to industry estimates, 90.5% of MDF consumed in Mexico was previously imported – mainly from Chile and Brazil – and as a result, logistic costs represented a significant percentage of the price paid by distributors.
This, together with low per capita consumption and a high comparative usage of solid wood in the furniture manufacturing industry, explains why the Mexican MDF market was perceived as very under-developed in comparison to countries such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina.