Chemical wood pulp market in Thailand

Earlier Report Observations

The chemical wood pulp market in Thailand experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume ranging from 1 174 thousand tons to 1 527 thousand tons. The market peaked in 2022, while the lowest point was recorded in 2020.

Global market conditions were the primary driver of these changes. Strong worldwide demand, fueled by the adoption of advanced production processes such as kraft and sulfite methods, supported a high market volume of 1 437 thousand tons in 2018. However, persistent volatility in raw material and energy costs from 2019 onward increased production expenses, contributing to lower volumes in 2019 and 2020. The market recovered in 2021 and 2022, aligning with a peak in global pulp production and improved supply chain conditions, before easing to 1 437 thousand tons in 2023.

Production chemical wood pulp in Thailand

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand ranked 19th globally in chemical wood pulp production.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

Thailand's chemical wood pulp production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 892.0 K t, marking a 6.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The peak was in 2018, with 971.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp production in Thailand continued its downward trend for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 446.6 M $ US, a significant 33.5% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 37.3%, translating to an average annual decline of 14.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 835.4 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.2%.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Thailand

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Thailand exported 217.5 K t of chemical wood pulp, a sharp increase of 60.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 56.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 135.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Vietnam were the top destinations for Thailand's chemical wood pulp exports by volume. China accounted for 58.4% of exports, France for 11.3%, and Vietnam for 5.6%, together making up 75.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Thailand's chemical wood pulp exports reached 108.9 M $ US in 2020, up 13.9% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 95.6 M $ US, while the peak was in 2018 at 124.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 23.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 16.7% rise.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, China, France, and Vietnam led as the main destinations for Thailand's chemical wood pulp exports. China represented 61.4% of export value, France 10.0%, and Vietnam 4.1%, collectively accounting for 75.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Thailand

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Thailand's chemical wood pulp imports saw an uptick in 2020, reaching 499.0 K t, a moderate increase of 9.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.8%, averaging an annual decline of 7.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 455.1 K t, which also recorded the largest drop of 25.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market for chemical wood pulp in Thailand was diverse. Canada, the United States, and South Africa were the top suppliers by volume, accounting for 22.1%, 14.6%, and 12.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 49.1% of total flows, with the remaining 50.9% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Thailand's chemical wood pulp imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 311.3 M $ US, down 11.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 32.7%, with an average annual decrease of 12.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 529.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4%, while the largest decline was in 2019 with a 33.7% drop.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Thailand's chemical wood pulp import sources were broad. Canada, the United States, and South Africa were the leading suppliers by value, contributing 22.5%, 14.7%, and 12.7% of imports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 49.8% of total import value, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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