Chemical wood pulp market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chemical wood pulp in Northern America declined from 48 347 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 36 809 thousand tonnes in 2023. This reduction was primarily driven by supply-side constraints, including labor strikes and transportation issues that limited output from North American mills, coupled with sharply rising energy prices following geopolitical events, which increased production costs and reduced capacity utilization.

Despite the overall downward trend, market volume stabilized in 2021 at around 41 438 thousand tonnes, supported by growing demand for specialty pulp and paper chemicals required for environmental compliance and sustainable production techniques. Rising consumption of paper in institutional and corporate sectors, along with increased application of packaging paper in food and pharmaceutical industries, helped maintain demand.

Sustainability trends and consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging have become key drivers, while digitalization in manufacturing processes and government incentives for circular economy initiatives are actively influencing the market's evolution in Northern America.

Production chemical wood pulp in Northern America

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 Northern America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 47 768 thousand tons, which represents a 12.0% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.4%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 55 355 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp production in Northern America has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 27 759 million US dollars, showing a significant decrease of 23.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 45 991 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 35.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chemical wood pulp from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Northern America exported 6 623 thousand tons of chemical wood pulp in 2020, marking a 7.7% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 11.1%, with an average annual reduction of 3.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Japan, and Indonesia were the primary destinations for chemical wood pulp exports from Northern America. China accounted for 40.3% of exports in volume, Japan for 5.2%, and Indonesia for 4.7%. Together, these three countries represented 50.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of chemical wood pulp from Northern America have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 3 849 million US dollars, showing a substantial decrease of 19.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 956 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 21.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and Indonesia were the leading contributors to the value of chemical wood pulp exports from Northern America. China represented 40.3% of export value, Japan 5.4%, and Indonesia 5.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 51.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, chemical wood pulp imports into Northern America increased in 2020. Imports reached 209 thousand tons, rising by 34.4% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 155 thousand tons, while the largest annual decrease occurred in 2018 at 32.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Chile, and Finland were the key sources for chemical wood pulp imports into Northern America. Brazil accounted for 32.3% of imports in volume, Chile for 2.3%, and Finland for 0.7%. Together, these three countries made up 35.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, foreign chemical wood pulp supplies to Northern America declined in 2020. Imports were recorded at 235 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 5.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 13.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 250 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 20.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Chile, and Finland led the structure of chemical wood pulp imports into Northern America in value terms. Brazil represented 40.8% of import value, Chile 2.6%, and Finland 0.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 44.2% of total import flows.

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

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