Chemical wood pulp market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Australian chemical wood pulp market experienced moderate growth, with market volume rising from 1 335 thousand tonnes to 1 344 thousand tonnes. This initial expansion was supported by strong global demand for bleached chemical pulp, driven by its use in hygiene products and renewable packaging, as well as broader consumer shifts toward sustainable materials. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting raw material availability and logistics for Australian production, which contributed to a slight dip in output, though demand remained resilient due to increased consumer preference for hygienic and eco-friendly products.

The market recovered and grew from 2021 to 2022, reaching 1 437 thousand tonnes by 2022. This period was marked by the entry of new players and capacity expansions in pulp for packaging and wood-based textiles, which helped meet rising demand. Additionally, regulatory changes in Australia introduced stricter labeling and traceability requirements aligned with sustainability policies, further stimulating market activity. Global factors such as supply chain disruptions and increased costs for energy and raw materials also influenced production and pricing during these years.

In 2023, production fell sharply to 780 thousand tonnes and market volume declined to 1 048 thousand tonnes. Import volumes decreased to 268 thousand tonnes in 2023 and further to 246 thousand tonnes in 2024, before rising to 278 thousand tonnes in 2025, while exports remained negligible throughout the period.

Production chemical wood pulp in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked 17th globally in chemical wood pulp production.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2018-2021

World map of production of chemical wood pulp, 2018-2021

In 2021, Australia produced 1 047 K t of chemical wood pulp, showing no change from the previous year. Production reached its highest point in 2019 at 1 077 K t, then fell to its lowest in 2020 at 1 047 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 2.7% rise, while the steepest decline was in 2020 with a 2.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports chemical wood pulp from Australia

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of chemical wood pulp from Australia showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 0.2 K t, but plummeted to their lowest point in 2020 at 0.0 K t, marking a 22-fold fluctuation. By 2021, exports remained at 0.0 K t, yet this represented a sharp 40.0% increase from 2020. The largest decline was in 2020 with a 95.5% fall, while the biggest surge occurred in 2019 with a 602.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, China dominated Australia's chemical wood pulp exports in volume, accounting for 79.9% of total flows, with other destinations making up relatively minor shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values for chemical wood pulp from Australia were highly volatile from 2018 to 2021. They reached a high in 2018 and fell to a low in 2020, varying by 65 times. In 2021, exports totaled 0.0 M $ US, up 157.5% from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 0.0 M $ US, with the largest decline that year at 97.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Australia's chemical wood pulp exports in value terms were heavily concentrated, with New Zealand and China together accounting for 96.5% of total flows, leaving other partners with minimal shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports chemical wood pulp to Australia

Imports in kind, K t

Australia's chemical wood pulp imports grew for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 306.3 K t, a 3.1% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 280.9 K t, which saw the largest decline of 1.7%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2020 with a 5.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil, New Zealand, and Finland were the main sources for Australia's chemical wood pulp imports by volume, together representing 58.9% of the total. Brazil contributed 26.4%, New Zealand 22.8%, and Finland 9.7%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Australia's chemical wood pulp imports by value rebounded in 2021, totaling 175.2 M $ US, a 26.0% increase from 2020. The lowest value was in 2020 at 175.2 M $ US, with the largest drop occurring in 2019 at 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, New Zealand, Brazil, and Finland led Australia's chemical wood pulp imports by value, collectively making up 59.1% of total flows. New Zealand accounted for 25.1%, Brazil 23.9%, and Finland 10.1%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021