Chemical wood pulp market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian chemical wood pulp market contracted from 590.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 461.5 thousand tons in 2021. This decline coincided with shifting global trade dynamics: strong worldwide production and trade flows in 2018 supported high import volumes, while a subsequent stabilization in global output contributed to reduced imports in 2019. The market's further drop in 2021 aligned with a 26% surge in global export prices, which raised import costs and dampened Belgian purchases.

After 2021, the market stabilized near 460 thousand tons. In 2022, a global peak in chemical pulp production and exports helped maintain availability, allowing the market to edge up to 464.1 thousand tons. The following year, as worldwide production settled below its peak and international trade volumes diminished, the Belgian market softened slightly to 459.2 thousand tons.

By 2024, EU-wide chemical pulp consumption had risen by 12%, reflecting broader regional demand growth. However, Belgium's import and export flows continued to adjust, with imports falling to 169.9 thousand tons, suggesting ongoing realignment within European trade patterns.

Production chemical wood pulp in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium ranked 26th globally in chemical wood pulp production.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Belgium's chemical wood pulp production fell. In 2020, the country produced 350 K t, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 22.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 453 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports chemical wood pulp from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's chemical wood pulp exports dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 162.2 K t, a substantial 24.7% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest level was in 2018 at 221.7 K t, which also recorded the largest increase of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, the Netherlands, and France were the primary markets for Belgium's chemical wood pulp exports by volume. Italy accounted for 27.4%, the Netherlands for 24.4%, and France for 23.1%, together making up 74.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp exports from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value was 78.9 M $ US, down 30.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 33.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 150.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 27.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Italy were the key destinations for Belgium's chemical wood pulp exports by value. The Netherlands represented 24.6%, France 23.4%, and Italy 23.3%, together comprising 71.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports chemical wood pulp to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium imported 311.1 K t of chemical wood pulp in 2020, an 8.6% increase from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.6%, with an annualized rate of 9.0%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 286.3 K t, while the peak was in 2018 at 416.2 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States were the main sources of Belgium's chemical wood pulp imports by volume. The Netherlands contributed 26.3%, Sweden 19.3%, and the United States 14.7%, together accounting for 60.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp imports to Belgium fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value was 181.8 M $ US, a 5.4% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.6%, with an annualized rate of 12.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 318.2 M $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 16.2%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 39.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States were the leading sources of chemical wood pulp imports to Belgium by value. The Netherlands accounted for 25.6%, Sweden for 19.6%, and the United States for 17.0%, together making up 62.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2017-2020