Chemical wood pulp market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The chemical wood pulp market in Latin America and the Caribbean experienced significant fluctuations in both volume and value between 2018 and 2023. In physical terms, market volume started at 10 794 thousand tons in 2018, dropped sharply to 9 183 thousand tons in 2019, then recovered to over 10 000 thousand tons in 2020-2021, dipped again in 2022, and reached a period high of 11 054 thousand tons in 2023.

Market value followed a similar but more pronounced trajectory, falling from 6 851 million US dollars in 2018 to 4 453 million in 2020, a decline of over 35%. The subsequent recovery saw value return to 5 087 million by 2021, stabilize around 5 075 million in 2022, and grow to 5 556 million in 2023. The divergence between volume and value movements, particularly in 2022 when volume fell but value held steady, suggests underlying shifts in pulp prices or product mix.

By 2023, the market achieved its highest volume level of the observed period, indicating a rebound from earlier volatility. The overall trend points to a market that, despite annual variations, maintained a base level of consumption and production within the region.

Production chemical wood pulp in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

In Latin America and the Caribbean, chemical wood pulp production reached 28 904 thousand metric tons in 2020, marking a 4.6% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 29 032 thousand metric tons, which saw a 5.9% increase. However, in 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 481 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 18.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 17 449 million US dollars, which saw a 28.1% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 19.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chemical wood pulp from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of chemical wood pulp from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 20 339 thousand metric tons, which is 2.2% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, the United States, and the Netherlands were the top destinations for exports in volume terms. China accounted for 46.3% of exports, the United States for 11.5%, and the Netherlands for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented 66.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 8 079 million US dollars, showing a sharp drop of 20.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 922 million US dollars, which saw a 30.0% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, the United States, and the Netherlands consistently remained the main destinations for exports in value terms. China accounted for 46.6% of exports, the United States for 11.2%, and the Netherlands for 8.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 66.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports chemical wood pulp to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, chemical wood pulp imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 1 517 thousand metric tons, marking a 4.9% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 446 thousand metric tons, which saw the largest decline of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, chemical wood pulp imports into Latin America and the Caribbean were sourced from many countries. Even the largest suppliers—the United States, Canada, and Sweden—together accounted for only 48.1% of total imports in volume terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp imports into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 1 324 million US dollars, representing a 3.8% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 324 million US dollars, which saw a 16.8% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 17.5% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and Sweden remained the leading sources for imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 48.1% of imports, Canada for 3.1%, and Sweden for 0.8%. Together, these three countries represented 51.9% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020