Non wood fibre pulp market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian non-wood fibre pulp market began the period at 2.29 million tons in 2018, then eased to 2.25 million tons in 2019 and stabilized at that level in 2020. Early years were shaped by an export-oriented industry, with pulp exports rising 9.7% in 2018 and major producer Ilim Group focusing on growing softwood pulp shipments to China in 2019, which likely limited domestic availability. The market held steady in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a 21% drop in domestic pulp prices and halved prices in Asia.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 2.46 million tons in 2021 and climbed further to 2.50 million tons in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by a surge in demand for packaging materials, linked to a near-doubling of construction machinery sales, and increased consumption of bed linen, which boosted demand for pulp-based textiles. In 2022, the hygiene segment, including toilet paper and napkins, expanded by 30%, while packaging output grew 5.5–7%. The launch of domestic fluff pulp production, replacing imports, also contributed to market expansion.

After the peak, the market contracted to 2.40 million tons in 2023 and declined further to 2.36 million tons in 2024. The 2023 reduction coincided with pulp exports reaching 2.61 million tons, 15.4% above the 2018 level, as strong Chinese demand diverted supply abroad. This export focus, alongside ongoing import substitution trends in the pulp and paper industry, reduced domestic volumes, leading to a lower market size by the end of the period.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia held the third position globally in non-wood fiber pulp production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2018-2021

World map of production of non wood fibre pulp, 2018-2021

Non-wood fiber pulp production in Russia rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, Russia produced 2,600 K t, marking an 8.3% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 2,370 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Russia's non-wood fiber pulp exports fell. In 2021, exports totaled 142.3 K t, down 11.6% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports increased by 2.7%, averaging 0.9% per year. The peak was in 2020 at 160.9 K t, with the highest growth rate of 15.1% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, South Korea, and China were the top destinations for Russia's non-wood fiber pulp exports by volume. Poland accounted for 41.2%, South Korea for 17.4%, and China for 12.3%, together making up 70.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Russia's non-wood fiber pulp export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 68,670 K US dollars, a strong 13.0% rise from 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, the overall export value decreased by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 59,433 K US dollars, which also experienced the largest drop of 23.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland, South Korea, and China remained the primary buyers of Russian non-wood fiber pulp by value. Poland contributed 46.5%, South Korea 15.0%, and China 12.5%, collectively representing 73.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia's non-wood fiber pulp imports declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports amounted to 5.4 K t, a 36.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports dropped by 57.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 24.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, Uzbekistan, and Belarus were the key sources for Russia's non-wood fiber pulp imports by volume. Germany made up 30.8%, Uzbekistan 22.6%, and Belarus 14.0%, together accounting for 67.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Russia's non-wood fiber pulp import value fell for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 6,855 K US dollars, a substantial 22.3% decline from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 46.5%, averaging an 18.8% annual drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Germany consistently led as the top sources for Russia's non-wood fiber pulp imports by value. Uzbekistan accounted for 30.4%, Kazakhstan for 20.1%, and Germany for 19.2%, jointly making up 69.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021