Chemical wood pulp market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, production of chemical wood pulp in Northern Europe rose from 14 256 thousand tons to 15 107 thousand tons, while the market volume expanded from 9 132 thousand tons to 10 633 thousand tons. This growth was supported by a global increase in demand for sustainable packaging materials and the emergence of new applications such as wood-based textile fibers. Technological advancements in kraft and sulfite pulping processes also contributed to improved production efficiency during this period.

In 2020, supply chain disruptions affected raw material availability, leading to a production decline to 14 796 thousand tons and a contraction in market volume to 8 416 thousand tons. However, heightened consumer preference for recyclable and biodegradable fiber-based packaging helped sustain underlying demand. By 2021, production recovered to 15 180 thousand tons and the market volume stabilized at 8 383 thousand tons, driven by a significant 18% increase in market value and the ongoing digitalization of manufacturing processes.

Global chemical wood pulp production peaked in 2022, yet Northern European output decreased to 14 347 thousand tons. The region's market volume, however, grew to 8 672 thousand tons, supported by strong demand for high-quality white paper and eco-friendly packaging. Sustainability initiatives and evolving labeling requirements influenced market access and product development. In 2023, production saw a modest decline to 14 209 thousand tons, while the market volume fell to 7 413 thousand tons.

Production chemical wood pulp in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

Northern Europe's chemical wood pulp production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 14 796 K t, marking a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 15 107 K t, when production saw its largest increase of 6.0%.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe exported 8 110 K t of chemical wood pulp, representing a significant 37.8% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 883 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 18.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure for chemical wood pulp was balanced rather than concentrated. China accounted for 23.8% of exports in kind, Germany for 13.0%, and the Netherlands for 11.2%, together making up 48.0% of total flows. The remaining 52.0% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp exports from Northern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 4 530 M $ US, showing a sharp decrease of 13.6% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was in 2018 at 5 745 M $ US, when exports experienced their largest increase of 33.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, chemical wood pulp from Northern Europe was traded with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—China, Germany, and the Netherlands—collectively represented only 47.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, chemical wood pulp imports into Northern Europe increased. In 2020, import volume reached 1 730 K t, up by 22.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 25.2%, with an average annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 1 410 K t, which also recorded the largest drop of 31.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import structure for chemical wood pulp in kind was highly diversified. Brazil contributed 28.9% of imports in kind, Portugal 8.4%, and the Netherlands 7.7%, together accounting for only 45.0% of total flows. The remaining 55.0% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp imports into Northern Europe fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 985 M $ US, reflecting a substantial decrease of 19.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 26.6%, with an average annual rate of 9.8%. The peak value was in 2018 at 1 591 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 18.6%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 23.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports of chemical wood pulp to Northern Europe in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Brazil accounted for 29.2% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 7.0%, and Portugal for 6.0%, together making up only 42.3% of total flows.

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

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