Non wood fibre pulp market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for non-wood fibre pulp in Bangladesh showed significant volatility. It started at 20 681 t in 2018, then jumped by 39% to 28 697 t in 2019. This surge was primarily due to a quadrupling of imports to 10 698 t, as the local pulp and paper industry faced an acute shortage of fibrous raw materials like bamboo and hardwood, forcing greater reliance on purchased pulp. However, in 2020 the market contracted to 21 602 t as imports fell sharply to 3 613 t, even though domestic production held steady at 18 000 t.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market remained below its 2019 peak. It dipped to a low of 18 735 t in 2021 when imports plummeted to just 746 t, amid ongoing raw material scarcity that caused operational challenges and mill shutdowns. A modest recovery followed, with the market reaching 19 182 t in 2022 and 21 123 t in 2023. The 2023 increase was supported by imports rising to 3 123 t, reflecting persistent demand for paper products and continued constraints in domestic fibre supply.

In 2024, imports amounted to 2 122 t. The industry focused on improving sustainability through water reuse and recycled fibre lines, such as the ANDRITZ startup at Lipy Paper Mills. Meanwhile, the government's ban on polythene bags renewed interest in eco-friendly jute products like the Sonali bag, which could influence future demand for non-wood fibre pulp.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

Bangladesh produced 18 000 tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp in 2020, showing only minor fluctuations compared to the previous year. The most significant changes occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bangladesh in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

Non-wood fibre pulp exports from Bangladesh grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 11 tonnes, marking a substantial 1 164.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, exports surged by 3 403%, with a compound annual growth rate of 227.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bhutan was the primary export partner for Bangladesh in terms of volume, accounting for 90.2% of total non-wood fibre pulp exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2019, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh exported non-wood fibre pulp worth 13 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp year-on-year increase of 159.0%. The minimum value of 5 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 75.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria and Bhutan were the dominant buyers of non-wood fibre pulp from Bangladesh in value terms, together accounting for 86.7% of total exports. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced notable fluctuations. Imports reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2018, with a fourfold gap between these years. In 2020, Bangladesh imported 3 613 tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp, a sharp decrease of 66.2% compared to 2019. The minimum volume of 2 681 tonnes was recorded in 2018, while the maximum of 10 698 tonnes occurred in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 299.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Canada, and Estonia were the leading sources for Bangladesh's non-wood fibre pulp imports by volume. Russia accounted for 41.3% of imports, Canada for 24.7%, and Estonia for 8.6%, together making up 74.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed significant fluctuations during this period. They peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, with a 2.6-fold difference. In 2020, the value of non-wood fibre pulp imports into Bangladesh was 1 414 thousand US dollars, down 62.0% from 2019. The maximum value of 3 724 thousand US dollars was recorded in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 98.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, Russia, and Spain were the main sources for Bangladesh's non-wood fibre pulp imports in value terms. Canada accounted for 32.3% of imports, Russia for 30.6%, and Spain for 9.0%, collectively representing 71.9% of total import flows.

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

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