Chemical wood pulp market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the chemical wood pulp market in Eastern Europe was shaped by trade policy shifts and global events. In 2018, the emergence of new product segments and adjustments to customs regulations influenced raw material availability for production. The following year, state-imposed restrictions on roundwood exports boosted domestic timber supply for the pulp and paper industry. However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe supply chain and logistics disruptions, leading to a marked contraction in market volume to 6 476 thousand tonnes.

Market volume recovered to 6 793 thousand tonnes in 2021, supported by industry adaptation to sanctions and the development of new production capacities, alongside the introduction of stricter environmental norms affecting manufacturing processes. In 2022, significant bans on wood product exports to the EU altered trade flows, while continued state support for the chemical industry aimed at fostering technological sovereignty. These factors contributed to a slight market adjustment to 6 722 thousand tonnes.

In 2023, the market expanded by 8.3% to reach 7 279 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by a substantial increase in domestic production, which rose to 8 379 thousand tonnes.

Production chemical wood pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

Chemical wood pulp production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 7 956 K t, but then fell to 7 825 K t in 2020, representing a modest 1.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 736 M $ US, marking a substantial 16.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 13.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 952 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 25.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 37.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chemical wood pulp from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Chemical wood pulp exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volumes reached 3 357 K t, showing a strong 14.8% improvement over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 854 K t, which also saw a minor 0.1% decline that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the largest buyer of chemical wood pulp from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), accounting for 56.5% of exports in volume. Germany followed with 8.0%, and South Korea with 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented 69.0% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp export values from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 603 M $ US, reflecting a slight 2.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values fell by 4.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 138 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 23.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 27.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading market for chemical wood pulp exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms, representing 55.2% of total export value. Germany accounted for 9.9%, and South Korea for 4.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 69.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports chemical wood pulp to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, chemical wood pulp imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 2 008 K t, showing a 4.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volumes grew by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 9.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of chemical wood pulp imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was highly diversified. Sweden was the largest source, accounting for 16.2% of import volumes, followed by Finland with 14.7%, and the United States with 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 44.9% of total import flows, with the remaining 55.1% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp import values into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 121 M $ US, marking a significant 15.6% decrease year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 3.0%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 537 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase that year with a 33.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of chemical wood pulp imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms remained highly diversified. The United States was the largest source, accounting for 17.5% of import value, followed by Sweden with 16.8%, and Finland with 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.5% of total import flows, with the remaining 51.5% coming from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020