Dissolving wood pulp market in China

Earlier Report Observations

China's dissolving wood pulp market volume grew steadily from 3.9 million tons in 2018 to 4.5 million tons in 2021. This expansion was supported by continuous domestic capacity growth, the conversion of several production lines to wood pulp output which reduced local supply, and new large-scale plants in South America that increased global availability for imports. The closure of traditional capacity in Japan further tightened global markets, reinforcing China's reliance on imported pulp.

After a slight contraction to 4.4 million tons in 2022, partly due to policy-driven adjustments toward green development and higher domestic wood pulp production, the market surged to 5.0 million tons in 2023. This rebound was fueled by rising import volumes, which created supply pressure and led to significant price volatility as demand remained subdued.

The industry landscape continued to be shaped by global capacity expansions, particularly in Indonesia, and sustained Chinese policy support for green and high-value industrial upgrading. Major domestic players expanded their capacities and market share, intensifying competition.

Production dissolving wood pulp in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was among the world's leading producers of dissolving wood pulp from 2017 to 2020, ranking second globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of dissolving wood pulp, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, China produced 1,070 K t of dissolving wood pulp, showing minimal change from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 1,070 K t, with the largest increase of 1.9% recorded that year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

Exports dissolving wood pulp from China

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 54-fold gap between these years. In 2020, dissolving wood pulp exports from China amounted to 1 K t, marking a 42.1% increase compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 K t, with the largest decline of 54.5% in 2019 and the largest increase of 5,293.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Singapore dominated China's dissolving wood pulp exports in kind, jointly accounting for 93.2% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated 43-fold between the low of 2017 and the high of 2018. In 2020, dissolving wood pulp exports from China reached 1 M $ US, reflecting a steep gain of 86.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 M $ US, with the largest decline of 68.7% in 2019 and the largest increase of 4,206.5% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Singapore were the dominant destinations for China's dissolving wood pulp exports in value terms, jointly taking 91.0% of total flows and leaving the remaining share to other markets.

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

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

Imports dissolving wood pulp to China

Imports in kind, K t

Imported dissolving wood pulp volumes in China increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 3,256 K t, up by 6.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind remained highly diversified. Indonesia (21.4% of imports in kind), Brazil (16.2%), and the United States (10.8%) together accounted for 48.4% of total flows, with a long tail of smaller markets forming the remaining 51.6%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Dissolving wood pulp deliveries to China declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 2,233 M $ US, reflecting a strong decline of 16.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,777 M $ US, with the largest increase of 9.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (19.7% of imports in value terms), Brazil (17.3%), and the United States (13.6%) consistently remained the main sources for imports in value terms, together accounting for 50.6% of total flows.

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

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