Chemical wood pulp market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US chemical wood pulp market reached its peak volume of 44.7 million tons in 2018, driven by significant capacity investments from major producers like Georgia-Pacific and Kimberly-Clark and technological advancements in pulping processes. However, consumption lost momentum in 2019, leading to a contraction. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a sharp decline in market volume to 36.2 million tons due to initial production slowdowns and supply chain disruptions, despite resilient demand for tissue and hygiene products.

A modest recovery followed in 2021, with the market volume rising slightly to 36.7 million tons supported by increased imports amid supply constraints and strong consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging and tissue. Market volume then stabilized in 2022 at 36.6 million tons, sustained by the industry's ongoing focus on sustainability and innovation. In 2023, the market contracted again to 33.3 million tons, coinciding with global supply chain volatility and pricing pressures.

In 2024, US consumption of chemical wood pulp grew by 2.1% to 43 million tons, fueled by continued demand for sustainable packaging and tissue products alongside ongoing technological improvements in production processes.

Production chemical wood pulp in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The United States held the top position globally for chemical wood pulp production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

Chemical wood pulp production in the United States declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 39 653 K t, marking a significant 12.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.8%, with an annualized decline of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 46 394 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports chemical wood pulp from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

Chemical wood pulp exports from the United States rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 8 642 K t, an 11.3% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.4%, averaging 2.4% annually. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 6 257 K t, which experienced the largest decline of 22.2%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a 24.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, U.S. chemical wood pulp exports were distributed across numerous countries. China accounted for 26.3% of exports, Mexico for 8.6%, and Japan for 8.2%, together making up 43.1% of total export volume.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of chemical wood pulp from the United States decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 4 872 M $ US, a sharp 12.3% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 8.7%, with an annualized decline of 3.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5 853 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, U.S. chemical wood pulp exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. China represented 26.4% of export value, Japan 8.6%, and Mexico 8.5%, collectively accounting for 43.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports chemical wood pulp to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, chemical wood pulp imports into the United States reached 5 179 K t, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10%, averaging 3.2% per year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 4 561 K t, which saw a 3.2% decline. The highest volume was in 2019 at 5 196 K t, with the largest increase of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Brazil were the primary suppliers of chemical wood pulp to the United States, together accounting for 93.9% of total import volume, with the remainder spread across other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Chemical wood pulp imports into the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 950 M $ US, a substantial 13.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value dropped by 4.3%, with an annualized decline of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 673 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and Brazil consistently made up 93.8% of total import value for chemical wood pulp into the United States, reflecting a high concentration of supply, with a diverse range of smaller markets accounting for the rest.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020