Chemical wood pulp market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The chemical wood pulp market in Southern Europe experienced notable shifts in volume between 2018 and 2023. The period began with the imposition of a 2.36% average tariff on imports of non-coniferous soda/sulfate pulp, which altered cost structures for imported material and influenced the competitive landscape for local market participants.

After an initial market size of 6.2 million tons in 2018, volume contracted over the following two years to 6.0 million tons by 2020, coinciding with a decline in domestic production. A subsequent rebound occurred, driving the market to a peak of 6.5 million tons in 2022, fueled by a significant rise in import volumes. This expansion was sharply reversed in 2023, when the market contracted to 5.9 million tons amid rising export volumes and a reduction in imports.

Domestic production remained volatile throughout the six-year span, fluctuating within a range of approximately 3.3 to 3.7 million tons, while import volumes showed considerable variation between 4.6 and 5.1 million tons, reflecting the market's sensitivity to external trade flows.

Production chemical wood pulp in Southern 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

Southern Europe's chemical wood pulp production increased in 2020, following two years of decline. The region produced 3 495 K t that year, marking a modest 5.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 3 329 K t, which also saw the steepest drop of 8.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's chemical wood pulp production declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The output was valued at 1 644 M $ US, representing a 9.8% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 406 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 24.3% drop.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe's chemical wood pulp exports reached 2 273 K t, up 3.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 5%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 1.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 308 K t, which also saw the largest rise of 6.6%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, chemical wood pulp exports from Southern Europe were distributed across multiple markets without a single dominant destination. Germany accounted for 15.6% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 12.9%, and Poland for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented 39.6% of total exports, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's chemical wood pulp export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Exports totaled 1 069 M $ US, showing a sharp 11.3% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 13.3%, with an average annual decrease of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 522 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 23.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 20.9% fall.

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

During 2017-2020, chemical wood pulp exports from Southern Europe in value terms were spread across numerous markets. Germany accounted for 15.0% of exports in value, Poland for 11.5%, and the Netherlands for 10.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 37.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Southern Europe's chemical wood pulp imports declined in 2020. Imports amounted to 4 766 K t, a slight decrease of 3.9% compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 4 958 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 1.7%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that chemical wood pulp imports to Southern Europe in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. Brazil accounted for 26.7% of imports in kind, Sweden for 12.0%, and the United States for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 49.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's chemical wood pulp imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached 2 481 M $ US, marking a substantial 22.5% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 862 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Sweden, and the United States remained the main suppliers of chemical wood pulp to Southern Europe in value terms. Brazil accounted for 26.0% of imports in value, Sweden for 12.3%, and the United States for 12.3%. Together, these three countries formed 50.6% of total imports in value.

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

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