Non wood fibre pulp market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market size for non-wood fibre pulp in Northern Europe showed considerable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. It began at US$693 million in 2018, rose to US$739 million the following year, then declined for two consecutive years to US$592 million in 2021. A dramatic turnaround occurred in 2022, when the market expanded by 38% to reach US$819 million. This peak was short-lived, as 2023 saw a contraction of 34%, bringing the market size down to US$541 million.

These swings in market volume were reflected in the underlying production and trade flows. Domestic production followed a similarly volatile pattern, falling from US$982 million in 2018 to a low of US$785 million in 2023, while changes in import and export values contributed to the net consumption figures for the regional market.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Northern Europe

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

Northern Europe's non-wood fibre pulp production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 491 062 tonnes, marking a 0.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Northern Europe's non-wood fibre pulp production value declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 661.3 million US dollars, representing a 29.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 4.4%, averaging a 1.5% annual decrease. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 936.7 million US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase was in 2018 at 18.0%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Northern Europe's non-wood fibre pulp exports rebounded in volume. In 2020, exports reached 934.5 thousand tonnes, up 32.9% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 703.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (11.6% of export volume), the Netherlands (11.4%), and India (11.0%) were among the top buyers of non-wood fibre pulp from Northern Europe. However, together they accounted for just 34.0% of total exports, highlighting a widely diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Non-wood fibre pulp exports from Northern Europe declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at 414.5 million US dollars, down 6.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 529.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China (13.0% of export value), Italy (12.3%), and India (11.2%) were the leading but not dominant buyers of non-wood fibre pulp from Northern Europe. Together, they made up 36.6% of total export value, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The import volume of non-wood fibre pulp into Northern Europe showed an unstable trend over the period. Volumes peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports rose to 276.2 thousand tonnes, a 182.8% increase from 2019. The minimum volume was 97.7 thousand tonnes in 2019, which followed the largest decline of 68.3% in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, Norway (6.9% of import volume), Germany (3.7%), and the United States (3.4%) were among the largest suppliers of non-wood fibre pulp to Northern Europe. Yet, together they represented only 14.0% of total imports, indicating a highly diversified sourcing base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's non-wood fibre pulp import value fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 218.7 million US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of non-wood fibre pulp into Northern Europe were relatively evenly distributed in value terms. The Philippines (19.2% of import value), the United States (9.1%), and China (6.6%) together accounted for only 34.9% of total imports.

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

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