Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Northern America expanded from 7.6 million tons in 2018 to over 8.4 million tons by 2021. This growth was primarily driven by rising consumer awareness of hygiene and cleanliness, which increased demand for paper products. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly accelerated consumption as heightened hygiene concerns led to greater use of disposable towels and tissues.

Following the pandemic surge, the market saw substantial investments in production capacity, such as Georgia-Pacific's $500 million expansion in Wisconsin to boost output. However, in 2022, the market experienced a slight contraction to 8.2 million tons, coinciding with a period where consumer preferences shifted towards eco-friendly products and packaging, prompting companies to launch lines with reduced plastic. Strategic moves, like Suzano's acquisition of Kimberly-Clark operations in Brazil, reflected ongoing industry consolidation.

By 2023, the market stabilized at around 8.3 million tons, with persistent supply chain disruptions affecting raw material availability and costs. The industry increasingly integrated certified sustainable products, such as FSC-certified paper, to align with corporate sustainability goals. In 2024, ongoing investments in production capacity and a focus on eco-friendly packaging continued to shape the market, driven by demand from commercial and healthcare sectors emphasizing disposable products for contamination control.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Northern America

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 Northern America has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 8 404 K t, marking a modest 8.5% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets produced in Northern America was 10 250 M $ US, reflecting a 2.8% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 5.7%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Northern America have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes totaled 91.2 K t, representing a 24.5% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 39.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 15.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary and most consistent destination for exports in kind, accounting for 0.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern America's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 111.3 M $ US, showing a sharp 28.5% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 41.6%, with a compound annual decrease of 16.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom played a central role in exports in value terms, representing 0.7% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Northern America showed significant volatility in recent years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 12.1 K t, then surged to 27.4 K t in 2020, reflecting a steep 63.0% increase from 2019. From the peak in 2017 to the low in 2018, import volumes varied by 7.6 times, with the largest decline of 86.9% recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico (10.9% of imports in kind), Indonesia (1.5%), and Sweden (1.3%) emerged as the main sources for imports in kind, collectively accounting for 13.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets into Northern America have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 138.2 M $ US, showing a slight 1.5% improvement from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 9.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 122.5 M $ US, with the largest decline of 3.2% that same year, while the highest increase of 11.2% occurred in 2019.

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

Analysis of import values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Mexico (9.0% of imports in value terms), Sweden (2.3%), and China (1.6%) together accounted for just 12.9% of total flows, with the remaining 87.1% coming from other trading partners.

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

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