Chemical wood pulp market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chemical wood pulp in Colombia contracted between 2018 and 2023, falling from 350.2 thousand tons to 259.9 thousand tons. This decline was driven by a sharp drop in domestic production, which decreased by over 60%, while imports grew but could not fully offset the loss of local output.

During this period, the industry implemented the Intersectoral Pact for Legal Timber 2020–2030 to strengthen the supply of certified wood for pulp and paper manufacturing. Major players like Smurfit Kappa Colombia invested in legal timber from certified forests, and the sector adopted quality control technologies such as NIR analysis. The paper industry also reported rising consumption and increased use of sustainable fiber, which typically supports pulp demand, yet these developments did not reverse the overall market contraction.

Production chemical wood pulp in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Colombia ranked as the 30th largest producer of chemical wood pulp during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

Colombia's chemical wood pulp production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 167.0 thousand tons of chemical wood pulp, marking a substantial drop of 11.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 189.2 thousand tons, which saw the largest increase of 0.3% during that year.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Colombia

Exports in kind, K t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 64-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Colombia exported 1.6 thousand tons of chemical wood pulp, representing a dramatic increase of 6,344.8% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 87.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador remained the primary destination for chemical wood pulp exports from Colombia, accounting for 79.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export volumes declined to their lowest level in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 41 times. In 2020, chemical wood pulp deliveries from Colombia were valued at 0.9 million US dollars, showing a steep increase of 3,997.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 86.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ecuador remained the main destination for exports in value terms, taking 72.2% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Colombia

Imports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of chemical wood pulp to Colombia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Colombia imported approximately 149.1 thousand tons of chemical wood pulp, corresponding to a contraction of 5.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Brazil consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in volume. The United States accounted for 48.4% of imports, Chile for 28.3%, and Brazil for 19.8%, jointly representing 96.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp deliveries to Colombia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Colombia imported approximately 94.0 million US dollars worth of chemical wood pulp, reflecting a notable decline of 24.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 132.4 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 12.6% during that year.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Brazil accounted for the largest share of imports in value terms. The United States represented 50.5% of imports, Chile 27.6%, and Brazil 17.8%, together comprising 96.0% of total flows.

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

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