Non wood fibre pulp market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

Iran's non-wood fibre pulp market relied on imports due to limited domestic capacity in 2018. International sanctions and restrictions on raw material and equipment imports in 2020 sharply reduced inbound shipments, contributing to a drop in imports to 67 tons, but overall market volume held stable near 49 900 tons as exports also fell significantly.

Market growth resumed from 2021, influenced by changes in the exchange rate and national financial policy which affected the cost of imported raw materials and facilitated an import rebound. The market expanded most sharply in 2022, reaching 58 924 tons, primarily due to increased demand for packaging products driven by growth in Iran's food and pharmaceutical industries, alongside changes in import tariffs and policies that supported higher import volumes.

After the 2022 peak, the market contracted by 12% to 51 604 tons in 2023 while domestic production remained unchanged at 51 000 tons. During this period, authorities were reviewing potential changes to labeling and packaging regulations for paper products, which could influence future market conditions.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Iran was among the world's leading producers of non-wood fibre pulp from 2017 to 2020, ranking 24th globally by production volume.

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Iran produced 51 000 tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp, with production remaining virtually unchanged compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Iran's non-wood fibre pulp production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 37 382 thousand US dollars, marking a slight uptick of 0.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 12.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iran in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Iran

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 183 tonnes, after peaking in 2018 at 15 299 tonnes, representing a 12.9-fold difference. In 2020, export volume fell dramatically by 70.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 74.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 138.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for 73.8% of Iran's total non-wood fibre pulp exports by volume, with the remainder distributed among many countries, each holding smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Exports peaked in 2018 at 10 728 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 867 thousand US dollars, a 12.4-fold difference. In 2020, export value declined steeply by 69.8% from the previous year. The largest drop was in 2019 at 73.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 157.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, China dominated Iran's non-wood fibre pulp exports in value terms, taking 73.2% of total flows, while other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Iran

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2019 at 2 399 tonnes and bottomed in 2020 at 67 tonnes, differing by a factor of 36. In 2020, import volume decreased by 97.2% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,804.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Canada accounted for the majority of Iran's non-wood fibre pulp imports by volume, with other markets forming a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during this period. Imports reached their peak in 2019 at 2 462 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 38 thousand US dollars, a 65-fold difference. In 2020, import value dropped by 98.5% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,755.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, China was the main source for non-wood fibre pulp imports to Iran, accounting for 70.7% of total imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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