Chemical wood pulp market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The chemical wood pulp market in Slovakia began at 128 million dollars in 2018 but contracted to 98 million dollars by 2020. Initial stability was affected by raw material and energy price volatility, alongside changes in distribution regulations that impacted supply chains. The pandemic in 2020 then caused severe production and logistics disruptions, further reducing market volume despite sustained demand for hygiene-related pulp products.

A recovery followed, with the market rising to 121 million dollars in 2021 and jumping to 159 million dollars in 2022. The 2021 increase was driven largely by a global surge in pulp prices, which climbed by up to 26%, elevating the market's monetary value. Subsequently, stronger demand for eco-friendly and recycled pulp, supported by ongoing investments in sustainable production processes, fueled the market's significant expansion in 2022.

In the more recent period, the industry has focused on technological modernization. By 2024, significant investments were being made in digitalization and AI to optimize production efficiency, while strategic partnerships among major companies aimed to consolidate manufacturing and strengthen market competitiveness.

Production chemical wood pulp in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's chemical wood pulp output was valued at 137.5 million US dollars, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, production actually declined by 13.7%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 4.8%. The lowest value during this time was recorded in 2019 at 132.1 million US dollars, with the sharpest drop of 17.1% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Slovakia ranked as the 28th largest producer of chemical wood pulp from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, chemical wood pulp production in Slovakia rebounded in 2020. That year, output reached 286.7 thousand tons, representing a significant 33.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, however, production fell by 58.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.5%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 214.8 thousand tons, while the peak was in 2017 at 692.9 thousand tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 68.9%.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

Slovakia's exports of chemical wood pulp grew for the second year in a row in 2020. Exports totaled 302.4 thousand tons, showing a sharp 34.3% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 22.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 219.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Austria, and Czechia were the top buyers of chemical wood pulp from Slovakia, accounting for 19.0%, 16.8%, and 13.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 49.3% of total exports, indicating a diversified export structure with many other countries involved.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of chemical wood pulp exports from Slovakia was 128.9 million US dollars, reflecting a slight 2.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 3.7%, with an annualized decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 125.7 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 145.9 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 13.8%, whereas the biggest gain was in 2018 with a 9.0% increase.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland, Austria, and Czechia remained key buyers of chemical wood pulp from Slovakia in value terms, with shares of 16.7%, 16.7%, and 14.7%, respectively. Their combined contribution was 48.1% of total export value, leaving 51.9% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

Slovakia imported 154.3 thousand tons of chemical wood pulp in 2020, a level that remained stable compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 143.6 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 154.6 thousand tons. The largest decrease was in 2018 at 2.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Finland, and the United States were the primary sources of chemical wood pulp imports to Slovakia in kind, accounting for 38.3%, 28.9%, and 9.1% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 76.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp imports into Slovakia declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a value of 89.7 million US dollars, down 16.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.1%, with an annualized decline of 2.8%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 114.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.9%.

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

In 2017-2020, Sweden, Finland, and the United States continued to be the main suppliers of chemical wood pulp to Slovakia in value terms, with shares of 37.7%, 28.5%, and 11.0%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 77.2% of total import value.

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

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