Non wood fibre pulp market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Market volume for non-wood fibre pulp in Ethiopia fluctuated between 9 440 t and 10 829 t from 2018 to 2023. The surge to 10 829 t in 2019 was driven by rising demand for paper products amid economic expansion, which increased pulp imports as local production remained fixed at 9 400 t. In 2020, volume fell to 9 484 t due to capital shortages and reliance on imported inputs that limited import volumes. The market then stabilized around 9 500 t in 2021, supported by accelerated growth in sustainable packaging for sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce.

Throughout the period, local production capacity was constrained, with six companies dependent on imported or recycled pulp and facing high costs from currency crises. Ongoing efforts to develop domestic pulp manufacturing from non-wood biomass, including bamboo, hemp, and pineapple, aimed to reduce import dependence and support forest conservation. Consumer shifts towards biodegradable and recycled packaging, aligned with government policies promoting eco-friendly alternatives, further stimulated pulp demand in the packaging segment.

In 2024, the sustainable packaging segment continued to grow, driven by policy support and demand from key industries, while structural challenges from dependence on imported inputs persisted.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Ethiopia

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

Ethiopia's production of non-wood fibre pulp remained stable at 9 400 tonnes in 2020, showing no significant change from the previous year. The data reveals that both the largest decline and increase occurred in 2018, each at 0.0%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Ethiopia

Market analysis indicates that Ethiopia did not export any non-wood fibre pulp between 2017 and 2020.

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for non-wood fibre pulp in Ethiopia showed considerable volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 40 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1 429 tonnes in 2019, representing a dramatic 36-fold increase. In 2020, imports dropped sharply to 84 tonnes, marking a 94.1% decline from the previous year. The largest percentage decrease was recorded in 2018 at 96.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a staggering 3 504.9% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia's imports of non-wood fibre pulp were entirely dominated by two markets: China and Indonesia, which together accounted for 100.0% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of non-wood fibre pulp imports into Ethiopia exhibited significant fluctuations during these years. Imports hit their lowest value in 2018 at 27 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 1 181 thousand US dollars in 2019, representing a 43-fold increase. In 2020, import values fell sharply to an unspecified amount, showing a 94.7% reduction compared to the previous year. The largest percentage decrease was recorded in 2018 at 94.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an extraordinary 4 207.0% growth.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China and Indonesia formed a highly concentrated market for Ethiopia's non-wood fibre pulp imports in value terms, together accounting for 99.9% of total import flows.

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

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