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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in MERCOSUR grew from 1 592 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 695 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, heightened health and hygiene awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic increased demand for toilet paper, paper towels, and facial tissues, while a shift from hand dryers to paper towels in public spaces further supported consumption, helping stabilize the market at 1 694 thousand tons despite regional economic challenges.

Market volume remained steady at 1 681 thousand tons in 2021, sustained by continued sanitary consciousness and robust demand in food service and healthcare segments. However, in 2022, the market contracted sharply to 894 thousand tons.

A recovery followed in 2023, with market volume rising to 1 220 thousand tons, driven by increased demand for paper towels in commercial and industrial sectors, particularly in food services and healthcare.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in MERCOSUR has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, MERCOSUR produced 1 723 K t of this product, marking a 0.6% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 21 033 t, while exports peaked in 2020 at 38 414 t, representing an 82.6% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 1.8-fold variation between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from MERCOSUR were Chile, accounting for 31.6% of exports in kind, the United States at 13.3%, and Bolivia at 6.6%. Together, these three countries represented 51.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from MERCOSUR increased. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 34 099 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 10.9%. In 2020, exports totaled 41 990 K $ US, up by 23.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the principal destinations for exports in value terms were Chile, with 30.1% of exports, the United States at 13.9%, and Colombia at 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 53.4% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 229 t, while imports reached a high in 2017, resulting in a 3.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR imported 9 136 t of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, up by 182.9% from the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 54.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Peru, and Spain played notable roles as suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to MERCOSUR, with shares of 16.8%, 3.4%, and 2.9% of imports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 23.1% of total imports, indicating no dominant supplier.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets into MERCOSUR declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 12 753 K $ US, representing a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 56.6%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 24.3%.

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

The partner structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with Chile accounting for 13.7% of imports, Peru at 3.0%, and Spain at 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 19.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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