Non wood fibre pulp market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-wood fibre pulp in Colombia contracted steadily from 198 thousand tons in 2018 to 152 thousand tons in 2021, reflecting a prolonged downturn in domestic production and consumption. This downward trajectory paused in 2022, with the market volume stabilizing at 151 thousand tons, indicating a potential inflection point after several years of decline.

During the stabilization phase in 2022, the industry's structure was notably defined by its commitment to sustainable raw materials. Colombia emerged as an international pioneer in using sugarcane bagasse pulp, which accounted for 11% of fibre input, while recycled fibres represented 68% of the total. This shift toward alternative, domestically sourced fibres was underpinned by a national commercial forestry plantations strategy launched in 2018, aiming to secure long-term, certified wood pulp supply.

Market volume rebounded to 171 thousand tons in 2023, marking a recovery and suggesting a resurgence in demand following the period of consolidation and industry adaptation to sustainable material sourcing.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Colombia ranked as the world's ninth-largest producer of non-wood fibre pulp.

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

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

Colombia's non-wood fibre pulp production fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 177.0 K t, marking a 6.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest output was in 2018 at 196.5 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Colombia's non-wood fibre pulp production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 92.6 M $ US, a sharp drop of 20.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 33.4%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 12.7%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 143.4 M $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 3.1%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 866 t, with the largest decline of 47.4% that year. In 2020, deliveries from Colombia surged to 3 977 t, a 359.4% increase from 2019. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 4.6-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Colombia's non-wood fibre pulp by volume were the United States (38.2% of exports), Ecuador (20.1%), and Guatemala (17.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 75.6% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports hit their lowest value in 2019 at 535 K $ US, with the largest decline of 55.5% that year. In 2020, exports rose to 2 081 K $ US, an uptick of 288.9% compared to 2019. The difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019 was 3.9-fold.

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

In 2017-2020, the largest buyers of Colombia's non-wood fibre pulp by value were the United States (46.1% of exports), Ecuador (15.9%), and France (14.8%). These three countries together made up 76.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatility over the observed period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017, with the largest increase of 130.0% recorded in 2018, when they peaked at 3 255 t. In 2019, imports saw the largest decline of 42.1%. By 2020, imports totaled 2 804 t, a 48.8% rise from the previous year. The difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017 was 2.3-fold.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States and Germany accounted for 81.8% of Colombia's non-wood fibre pulp imports by volume, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest value in 2017, with the largest increase of 126.9% in 2018, when they peaked at 4 695 K $ US. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 49.7%. By 2020, import volume reached 3 625 K $ US, up 53.5% from the previous year. The difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017 was 2.3-fold.

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

In 2017-2020, the United States and Germany dominated Colombia's non-wood fibre pulp imports by value, together accounting for 80.1% of total flows, while other destinations had smaller individual contributions.

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

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