Chemical wood pulp market in Nigeria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, domestic production of chemical wood pulp in Nigeria remained unchanged at 14 000 t annually, reflecting persistent structural challenges within the local industry. Market volume, however, fluctuated significantly due to varying import levels, which were driven by external factors. The sharp 31% import surge to 50 638 t in 2020 was compounded by COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to global supply chains, sustaining the reliance of local tissue mills on foreign pulp amidst domestic shortfalls.

Import volumes then contracted by 23% to 38 863 t in 2021, a shift influenced by rising global prices for wood, paper-making materials, and chemical products, which increased the cost of imported raw materials. The subsequent rebound in imports to 57 342 t in 2022 occurred without major new domestic entrants or facility launches, maintaining the market's dependence on external supply.

In 2023, a modest decline in imports coincided with reports of increased capacity utilization in the broader pulp and paper sector to 58.3%. By 2024, new policy measures emerged, including a federal ban on the export of wood and allied products and a senate bill mandating local processing of raw materials, both aimed at promoting domestic value addition and securing raw material supply for local manufacturers.

Production chemical wood pulp in Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Nigeria produced 14 000 tonnes of chemical wood pulp, a figure that remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. The most significant change occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports chemical wood pulp from Nigeria

Market data indicates that Nigeria did not export any chemical wood pulp between 2017 and 2020.

Imports chemical wood pulp to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 25 652 tonnes, with a 20.5% decline recorded that year. In 2020, cross-border shipments of chemical wood pulp to Nigeria totalled 50 638 tonnes, marking a 97.4% year-on-year increase and peaking at a level two times higher than in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Chile, and Russia were the top contributors to Nigeria's chemical wood pulp imports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 52.0% of imports, Chile for 10.5%, and Russia for 7.8%, together making up 70.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 809 thousand US dollars, with a 31.1% decline that year. In 2020, the volume of chemical wood pulp imports to Nigeria reached 42 818 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 96.3% gain compared to 2019 and peaking at a level two times higher than the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—the United States, Chile, and Russia—collectively accounted for 72.6% of the total value of chemical wood pulp imports to Nigeria.

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

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