Mechanical wood pulp market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for mechanical wood pulp in Russia experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2025. After initial stability near 1.5 million tons, consumption dropped to 1.42 million tons in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and temporarily reduced industrial demand. The market rebounded strongly the following year, reaching 1.56 million tons in 2021. This recovery was supported by changing consumer preferences in the construction sector towards higher-quality, processed wood materials, which increased demand for wood pulp inputs.

The market stabilized in 2022 despite new challenges. European Union sanctions, including a ban on imports of Russian wood products, significantly altered trade flows. In response, the Russian government proposed temporary bans on the export of wood-based panels to secure domestic supply, which helped redirect production to the local market and maintain overall volume. However, by 2023, economic instability and reduced export demand from key markets like China contributed to a market contraction to 1.5 million tons.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2024, with the market volume jumping to 1.73 million tons. This surge was fueled by the industry's adaptation to import substitution policies and the focused development of domestic production capacities. Continued attention to sustainable forestry certification also began influencing supply chains. Preliminary data for 2025 indicates a production adjustment, while broader industry trends, such as moderate growth in the furniture sector, continued to support underlying demand for wood-based materials.

Production mechanical wood pulp in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Russia's mechanical wood pulp production rebounded in 2021. The country produced 1 557 thousand tons that year, representing a 9.7% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the broader 2018-2021 period, production grew by 2.1% overall, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 419 thousand tons, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports mechanical wood pulp from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at just 3 tons, then surged dramatically to 1 506 tons in 2021. This represents an extraordinary 54 083.3% year-over-year increase, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 542 times between the two years. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, when exports fell by 42.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 through 2021, China overwhelmingly dominated Russia's mechanical wood pulp exports in volume terms, accounting for 99.1% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable fluctuation throughout these years. The market bottomed in 2020 at 8.1 thousand US dollars, then rebounded sharply to 692.8 thousand US dollars in 2021. This dramatic recovery represented an 8 446.9% increase compared to the previous year, creating an 85-fold gap between the high and low points. The most significant contraction occurred in 2020 with a 34.4% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, China was clearly the dominant destination for Russia's mechanical wood pulp exports in value terms, capturing 94.0% of total export revenue.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports mechanical wood pulp to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's mechanical wood pulp imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 320 tons. This represents a 46.5% decrease compared to 2020. Over the full 2018-2021 period, imports contracted by 67.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 31.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 398 tons, which also saw the strongest annual growth of 43.2%. The most substantial contraction occurred in 2020 with a 57.2% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, two markets—the United States and Belarus—together accounted for 87.2% of Russia's mechanical wood pulp imports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Russia's mechanical wood pulp imports continued to decline for the second straight year in 2021, totaling 378.4 thousand US dollars. This represents a 27.7% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values fell by 48.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.7%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 998.7 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the strongest annual growth of 36.5%. The most significant contraction occurred in 2020 with a 47.6% decline.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 through 2021, the United States and Italy were the primary sources of Russia's mechanical wood pulp imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.3% of total import spending, while other markets shared the remaining portion.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021