Chemical wood pulp market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Spanish chemical wood pulp consumption began the period at 1 003 тыс. т in 2018, edging up to 1 030 тыс. т in 2019. The chemical sector's strong export performance and market diversification that year provided a supportive backdrop for pulp trade. In 2020, market volume jumped to 1 155 тыс. т, marking a significant increase.

The following years were marked by sharp volatility. Consumption plunged to 898 тыс. т in 2021, then rebounded to a peak of 1 219 тыс. т in 2022 before falling again to 989 тыс. т in 2023. These swings resulted in a highly unstable market environment over the three-year span.

The market recovered to 1 207 тыс. т in 2024, aided by an 8.5% rise in Spanish paper and board production as the economy expanded. Growth was led by packaging and tissue paper segments, while environmental awareness and stricter carbon emission regulations boosted demand for flexible paper packaging and pulp chemicals. Mills also adopted non-chlorinated bleaching chemicals to reduce organochlorine emissions, reflecting the industry's shift toward sustainable practices.

Production chemical wood pulp in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's chemical wood pulp production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 474.0 million US dollars, marking a significant 11.5% year-on-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 719.8 million US dollars. The sharpest decline was in 2019, dropping by 25.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 21.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 18th largest producer of chemical wood pulp globally.

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 Spain rebounded. In 2020, Spain produced 1 026 thousand tonnes, up 12.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 915 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 4.8%.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Chemical wood pulp exports from Spain fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 900 thousand tonnes, showing only a minor fluctuation compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 21.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 14.4%, and Poland for 10.8%, together making up 46.3% of total flows. Many other countries contributed the remaining 53.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's chemical wood pulp export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 414.8 million US dollars, a 10.2% contraction from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%. The highest value was in 2018 at 604.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 23.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 16.9%.

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

Over 2017-2020, chemical wood pulp exports from Spain in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Germany represented 16.6% of exports, Poland 11.7%, and Italy 10.2%, together accounting for only 38.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's chemical wood pulp imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 1 029 thousand tonnes, a slight 0.9% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 972 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 7.7%. The biggest increase was in 2019, up by 4.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal, Brazil, and Sweden were the leading sources for Spain's imports in kind. Portugal accounted for 20.1%, Brazil for 19.7%, and Sweden for 18.0%, together representing 57.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp import values into Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 573.4 million US dollars, down 14.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 12.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 827.9 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 18.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 26.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Sweden, and Portugal formed the key group of partners for Spain's chemical wood pulp imports in value terms. Brazil accounted for 18.3%, Sweden for 18.2%, and Portugal for 16.4%, jointly making up 52.9% of total flows.

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

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