GLOBAL PRODUCTION CONCENTRATION OF MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD (MDF) (1995 - 2016)

ABSTRACT This papaer analyzed the global MDF production and its concentration degree between 1995 and 2016. In order to measure and analyze this concentration, we used the Concentration Ratio [CR(k)], the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), Theil Entropy Index (E), Hall and Tideman Index (HTI), the Comprehensive Concentration Index (CCI), and the Gini Index (G). Global MDF production grew 12.81% p.a. from 1995 to 2016, reaching 99 million m3 at the end of the time series. China took over the hegemony in 2001 and arrived in 2016 with about 60% of the world’s MDF supply. The CR(k) of the global MDF production inferred a high concentration, mainly in the CR(4) from 2009. The CR(8) remained with a moderately high average concentration. During this period more than 90% of the offer was retained in the CR(20). The HHI, E and HTI indices corroborate that there is high concentration in global MDF production, as well as the CCI in the studied period. The inequality indicated by G also presented increasing behavior and was classified as strong and very strong. The concentration indicators were efficient in evaluating the concentration degree of the world MDF supply.