Indian market is performing better since July second week. The first quarter (April-June) of this FY was riddled with weak sentiments, followed by heavy and uncertain rain across country. But later the consumption for wood panel products picked up the pace till now. The demand expectations are persistent and growing for MDF, Plywood and panel products whereas decorative laminates pose a stable outlook.
In fact, the market demand is good in all product categories at different price points owing to imminent festive season. Post Matecia, like every year, market responds with a rise in queries and starts taking a positive trajectory thanks to new products launch coupled with completion of many residential projects around Deepawali, marriage season and other auspicious occasions. The demand for wood panel and decorative products are expected to remain stable till Jan-Feb 2026 despite the continued liquidity. Still, India is upbeat as various government projects; infra work and renovation working in flood impacted areas are in full swing.
It is equally evident that imported products have noticed a huge drop by 80- 90 % thus creating more space for domestic producers and strengthening demand. The mandatory ISI mark on every panel products is also opening up new avenues for quality conscious producers and certainly restricting the unauthentic and duplicate products movement. The pressure to follow standards and compliance will create further market space for bonafide products despite uncertainty in global economic scenario. In plywood and laminates, the prices have inched up due to input cost increase. The MDF segment is still volatile on price front whereas PB segment is stable.
I am of view that November, December, January will have a decent run for demand for all panel and decorative products including film faced plywood. I also feel that India will be stable and growing global uncertainties for one reason - Indian community has always been frugal in the use of resources. Indians prepare or start preparing for anything much before people actually witness the issue. With strong leadership and growing voices for localizing consumption and production, Indian economy will unfold in bigger and surprising ways.
There is news of proposed antidumping duty on Melamine imported from China sought by GNFC. The Cost of production of Melamine in India is higher as capacity here is small compared to Chinese suppliers. But if it so happens then decorative laminate prices as well as input cost or Plywood, MDF and Prelam board cost will go up thus industry associations need to do the math and present their side effectively. Let’s hope that whatever brief period of turbulence led by global uncertainty we are currently dealing will be advantageous to intent oriented enterprises.
Pragat Dvivedi
Founder Editor
[Published in Ply Reporter's October 2025 Print Issue]