Non wood fibre pulp market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-wood fibre pulp in the CIS was initially driven by growing pulp exports from Russia and state support for vertically integrated companies like Ilim Group, which focused on foreign trade. However, the lack of a domestic raw material base, such as cotton, limited the expansion of new segments like cotton linters. By 2020, investment strategies were adjusted due to sanctions and the rouble's depreciation, while global supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 affected chemical additive deliveries. This pushed the industry toward import substitution and exploring alternative fibre sources, stabilizing market volume.

Market volume grew significantly in 2021-2022 as trade restrictions from the EU and U.S. forced Russian companies to seek new markets and diversify into non-wood pulp products. Sanctions also curtailed imports of chemical reagents, spurring the development of domestic technologies for pulp from alternative fibres. Simultaneously, rising domestic production of chemical and artificial fibres increased demand for local alternative fibres, including cotton linters, supporting market expansion.

In 2023, market volume dipped slightly, but strategic developments continued. Increased exports of softwood pulp highlighted the need to develop non-wood product lines to reduce reliance on traditional markets. State-backed import substitution initiatives and support for plant-based polymers, highlighted at a Moscow conference, stimulated investment in specialty fibre pulp production. For 2024, planned growth in dissolving pulp output and closed-loop production cycles reflect sustained policy support for alternative fibre materials.

Production non wood fibre pulp in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, the CIS produced 2,424.0 thousand tons of non-wood fiber pulp, marking a 1.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,440.3 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.0%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, with a rise of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Non-wood fiber pulp production in the CIS declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,179 million US dollars, down by 8.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 11.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1,631 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 21.9%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

Non-wood fiber pulp exports from the CIS increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the CIS exported 181.6 thousand tons, representing a 14.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 155.5 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, South Korea, and China were the key partners for exports in kind, accounting for 33.0%, 18.4%, and 12.2% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 63.6% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the CIS exported 88.3 million US dollars worth of non-wood fiber pulp, up by 3.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7%, with a CAGR of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 85.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 103.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 18.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, South Korea, and China led as the top buyers of non-wood fiber pulp from the CIS in value terms, accounting for 30.1%, 19.1%, and 11.3% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 60.4% of all export value.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Non-wood fiber pulp imports into the CIS declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the CIS imported 12.4 thousand tons, down by 4.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 54.5%, with a CAGR of 23.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, non-wood fiber pulp was imported into the CIS from a diverse range of markets. Germany, the United States, and Czechia were the largest sources, accounting for 37.1%, 6.2%, and 2.2% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 45.5% of total imports, with many smaller destinations making up the remaining 54.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of non-wood fiber pulp imports into the CIS declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 13.7 million US dollars, showing little change year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 43.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.4%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, non-wood fiber pulp was imported into the CIS from numerous markets. Even the largest sources—Germany, the United States, and Sweden—together accounted for only 41.4% of total imports in value terms, highlighting the fragmented nature of the import market.

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

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