Non wood fibre pulp market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, Finnish non-wood fibre pulp production increased from 482 thousand tons to 596 thousand tons, with the domestic market size also expanding. This growth was supported by the industry's strategic shift towards higher value-added products like textile fibres and new packaging materials, emphasizing sustainability and the circular bioeconomy. New technologies enabled pulp use in diverse applications such as textiles, vehicles, and electronics, while rising consumer demand for sustainable sanitary and packaging products provided additional market support.

Production volumes fell sharply to 409 thousand tons in 2023, primarily due to weak economic growth in key export markets which dampened overall demand. This decline occurred despite increased production capacity from new mill startups, such as Metsä Group’s Kemi facility, and higher stumpage prices for pulpwood reflecting raw material scarcity. The drop in domestic paper and paperboard production further contributed to the lower output for that year.

A recovery to 506 thousand tons occurred in 2024, driven by the start-up of new production capacity at the Kemi mill and organizational changes like UPM Fibres' restructuring into a dedicated Fibres Finland Operations unit. The market size reached 324 thousand tons, supported by continued consumer preference for sustainable, bio-based pulp products and the industry's ongoing investment in product diversification and processing technologies, even amid challenges from high energy costs and geopolitical trade dynamics.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Finland's non-wood fibre pulp production value has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 213.7 million US dollars, marking an 8.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Finland ranked fifth globally in non-wood fibre pulp production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

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

Following a two-year decline, non-wood fibre pulp production in Finland rebounded. In 2020, output reached 533.2 thousand tonnes, showing a 10.8% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 481.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 1.6%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Finland's non-wood fibre pulp export volume amounted to 393.2 thousand tonnes, representing a 98.3% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 198.3 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden and the Netherlands were the primary buyers of non-wood fibre pulp from Finland, accounting for a combined 81.1% of total exports in volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Finland's non-wood fibre pulp export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 150.5 million US dollars, marking a 32.2% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 28.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 110.3 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden (59.7% of exports by value), the Netherlands (18.3%), and Italy (9.7%) remained the leading destinations in Finland's export structure by value, together accounting for 87.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Finland's imported non-wood fibre pulp volume totalled 12.3 thousand tonnes, which is 283.7% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3.2 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 52.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia (27.1% of imports by volume), Sweden (22.0%), and Germany (21.6%) formed the main group of sources for non-wood fibre pulp imports to Finland, together accounting for 70.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of non-wood fibre pulp to Finland totalled 6.6 million US dollars, down by 11.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 31.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 11.8%. The largest drop was recorded in 2018 at 26.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China (28.5% of imports by value), the United States (25.6%), and Germany (15.7%) formed the main group of sources for non-wood fibre pulp imports to Finland by value, together accounting for 69.8% of total flows.

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

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