Non wood fibre pulp market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The non-wood fibre pulp market in Eastern Europe grew from 2.46 million tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 2.92 million tonnes in 2022 before moderating to 2.77 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion was largely driven by regulatory measures, such as Poland's waste management law setting recycling targets for paper that boosted demand for pulp from alternative fibres, and the EU's zero-CO₂ emission strategy for the paper industry encouraging the use of renewable non-wood materials.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted traditional timber supply chains, prompting producers to seek local alternatives like hemp and bamboo, which accelerated the adoption of new non-wood pulp segments. Investment in production capacity, supported by Polish subsidy programs, along with the launch of pilot lines for pulp from plant fibres by companies in Poland and Hungary, helped expand supply.

Regulatory pressure from the EU continued with new packaging labeling requirements and product classifications that created opportunities for non-wood pulp. In 2024, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and a CO₂ emission tax on traditional wood pulp made alternative fibres more economically attractive, supporting the long-term shift toward sustainable materials.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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 Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), non-wood fibre pulp production reached 2 604.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of non-wood fibre pulp output in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 1 464 million US dollars in 2020, up 18.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 231 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 1 612 million US dollars. The sharpest decrease happened in 2019, with a 23.6% fall.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Non-wood fibre pulp exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded in 2020 after two years of decline. Exports totaled 191.6 thousand tonnes, rising 13.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 168.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, export destinations for non-wood fibre pulp in kind were fairly balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 14.7% of exports, South Korea for 13.5%, and China for 10.9%, together making up 39.0% of total flows. The remaining 61.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of non-wood fibre pulp exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 107.7 million US dollars, showing a 23.7% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 87.1 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 119.3 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 27.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Germany represented 21.2% of export value, South Korea 9.9%, and China 9.8%, collectively accounting for 40.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Non-wood fibre pulp imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports stood at 188.1 thousand tonnes, down 10.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 211.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Austria, and Estonia were the top sources for imports in kind, with shares of 33.8%, 10.0%, and 6.9%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 50.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Import value for non-wood fibre pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 86.8 million US dollars, a modest 4.1% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13%, averaging a 4.5% annual decline. The peak value was in 2018 at 102.5 million US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 11.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 2.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import partner structure in value terms was diverse. Germany contributed 23.6% of import value, Estonia 9.5%, and Uzbekistan 6.3%, together forming 39.3% of total flows. The remaining 60.7% came from a wide range of other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020