Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, China's market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets expanded consistently in physical terms, with production rising from 9 700 thousand tons to 12 100 thousand tons. The initial growth phase was supported by capacity expansions among major producers, such as U.S. Pacific's plant upgrades, which helped meet rising demand. The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 then sharply accelerated consumption, as heightened hygiene concerns boosted the need for sanitary paper products across medical and household sectors.

After the initial pandemic surge, market growth in volume terms continued at a more moderate pace. Government policies promoting high-performance fibers and functional textiles, along with industry investments in smart manufacturing, aided production efficiency and product diversification from 2021 onward. Concurrently, strengthening environmental regulations pushed packaging toward more sustainable solutions, while rising exports—particularly of medical protective items—provided an additional outlet for manufacturers. Notably, while production volume kept increasing, the market's value in dollar terms began to decline after 2020, suggesting a shift toward more cost-competitive products or lower unit prices.

In 2023, the market volume saw a renewed uptick, reaching 11 810 thousand tons, even as the monetary value contracted further to 15 247 million dollars. This divergence highlights a trend where physical output expands despite potential price pressures or changes in product mix.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained its position as the world's leading producer of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets.

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

China's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 10 800 K t, marking a 7.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.5%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets continued to expand for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output stood at 18 117 M $ US, reflecting a significant year-over-year rise of 11.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from China

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, China exported 232.6 K t of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, up 19.5% from the prior year. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 194.6 K t, with a decline of 1.9% that year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 18.8%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Malaysia, and the United States were the primary markets for China's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in volume terms. Australia accounted for 37.9% of exports, Malaysia for 8.5%, and the United States for 6.7%, together making up 53.1% of total export flows.

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

China's cross-border shipments of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased for the third straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 390.2 M $ US, a 23.7% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 42.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export structure for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from China was quite diverse. Australia, Malaysia, and the United States were key partners, contributing 27.6%, 9.8%, and 9.3% of export value, respectively, totaling 46.7% of flows. The remaining 53.3% was spread across numerous smaller countries.

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

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

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 20.6 K t, down 7.9% year-over-year. The peak was in 2018 at 39.7 K t, with a 60.3% increase that year, followed by a sharp decline of 43.5% in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.6%, averaging an annualized decline of 5.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, the main sources for China's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in volume terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified, Indonesia, and Japan. Asia accounted for 24.7% of imports, Indonesia for 17.8%, and Japan for 17.7%, collectively representing 60.2% of total import flows.

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

China's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 27.2 M $ US, a 14.2% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 51.0 M $ US, with a 41.9% increase that year, followed by a 37.9% decrease in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 24.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for China's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified, Japan, and the United States. Asia contributed 21.5% of import value, Japan 18.6%, and the United States 13.8%, together accounting for 53.9% of total import flows.

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

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