Market research

Chemical wood pulp market in Japan

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chemical wood pulp in Japan stood at 9.3 million tons in 2018. It declined to 9.1 million tons in 2019 and fell sharply to 7.7 million tons in 2020. This significant contraction was primarily driven by the tightening of environmental standards and stricter wastewater treatment obligations, which increased operational costs and complexity for manufacturers, constraining market activity.

A recovery followed in 2021, with the market expanding to 8.2 million tons. This growth was supported by rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions and regulatory pressures, which prompted industry investments in cleaner technologies and new chemical formulations. In 2022, shifts in the U.S. tariff environment accelerated supply-chain localization and near-shoring strategies, helping the market reach 8.3 million tons. However, the market volume contracted again in 2023, dropping to 7.5 million tons.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Japan
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Japan in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Japan in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Japan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production chemical wood pulp in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Japan held the seventh position globally in chemical wood pulp production.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Following a two-year decline, Japan's chemical wood pulp production rebounded. In 2021, the country produced 7 150 K t, marking a moderate 8.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest output was recorded in 2020 at 6 620 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 15.7%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.7%)	(15.7%)	8.0%	(4.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports chemical wood pulp from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

Japan's chemical wood pulp exports grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 362 K t, reflecting a moderate 4.9% rise from the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 3.1%, translating to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest level was in 2019 at 342 K t, which also experienced the steepest fall of 8.4%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.4%)	0.8%	4.9%	(1.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, China dominated Japan's chemical wood pulp exports in volume, accounting for 75.6% of total flows, while other partners held relatively small shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Japan's chemical wood pulp exports in value terms increased. In 2021, exports totaled 258 M $ US, showing a sharp 45.6% year-over-year advance. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 8.9%, with an average annual decrease of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 177 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 24.7%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(24.7%)	(16.9%)	45.6%	(3.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2018-2021 period, China was the leading destination for Japan's chemical wood pulp exports in value, making up 74.5% of total flows, with the remainder spread across various smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports chemical wood pulp to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

Japan's chemical wood pulp imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 1 399 K t, down 3.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 11.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 606 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 1.4%. The steepest drop occurred in 2020 at 9.5%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	(9.5%)	(3.8%)	(4.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the United States (31.7% of imports in volume), Canada (24.0%), and Brazil (20.8%) were the main sources for Japan's chemical wood pulp imports, together accounting for 76.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year reduction, Japan's chemical wood pulp imports in value terms rose. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 167 M $ US, representing a significant 20.9% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 17.4%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 965 M $ US, which also saw the largest drop of 22.0%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.4%)	(22.0%)	20.9%	(6.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States (38.0% of imports in value), Canada (22.6%), and Brazil (16.5%) formed the core of Japan's chemical wood pulp imports in value, collectively representing 77.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io