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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls expanded from 2,459 thousand metric tons in 2018 to 2,572 thousand metric tons in 2019. This growth was fueled by rising consumer awareness of personal and home hygiene, which increased demand for tissue products. A shift toward higher-value items, such as triple-ply toilet paper, further supported market expansion, with major players like Suzano investing in premium portfolios to capture this trend.

The COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020 triggered a sharp, temporary surge in toilet paper purchases, helping to stabilize the overall market volume which saw a minor adjustment to 2,554 thousand metric tons. In 2021, significant cost pressures emerged from soaring prices for key inputs like plastic resins and pulp, compounded by a strong US dollar. These factors squeezed manufacturer profitability but were offset by sustained demand, leading to a slight market increase to 2,558 thousand metric tons.

A pronounced contraction to 1,744 thousand metric tons occurred in 2022, primarily driven by double-digit cost inflation for production inputs and widespread retailer resistance to price pass-throughs, which severely pressured margins. This period also saw industry consolidation with the acquisition of Brazilian producer SEPAC by the Chilean multinational CMPC. A recovery commenced in 2023, with the market rising to 1,986 thousand metric tons, supported by the ongoing expansion of the hygiene and personal care segment, growing demand for sustainable packaging, and increased consumer purchasing power.

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

South America's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 2,550 K t, but then fell to 2,519 K t in 2020, marking a slight decrease of 1.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 5.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of household and sanitary paper production in wide rolls or large sheets in South America was $7,512 M US, representing a sharp decline of 25.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the overall value decreased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%. The largest increase in this period was recorded in 2019, at 2.1%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, South America's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 37,042 t, but then rose to 37,927 t in 2020, a year-over-year increase of 2.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 38.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.0%. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 29.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South America exported household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to a diverse range of markets. The top three destinations—the United States (9.8% of exports in kind), Mexico (8.5%), and Guatemala (7.2%)—collectively accounted for only 25.5% of total exports. The remaining 74.5% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America exported $92.4 M US worth of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, a decrease of 3.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The largest decline was in 2018, at 5.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South America's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The United States (10.1% of exports in value terms), Mexico (8.3%), and Guatemala (6.8%) together made up only 25.2% of total exports, with the rest spread across many other markets.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

South America's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were 58,700 t, rising to 72,981 t in 2020, a 24.3% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 143.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 34.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, South America imported household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from a wide array of sources. Even the largest suppliers—China, Indonesia, and Turkey—collectively accounted for only 26.5% of total imports in kind, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, South America imported $132.9 M US of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, a decrease of 9.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $113.7 M US, while the peak occurred in 2019 at $147.4 M US. The largest increase was in 2019, at 29.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (9.9% of imports in value terms), Indonesia (8.7%), and Italy (5.0%) were key suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to South America. However, their combined share reached only 23.5% of total imports, with the remaining 76.5% coming from many other partners.

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

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