Non wood fibre pulp market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish non-wood fibre pulp market stood at 92.4 K t in 2018. The following year, market volume contracted to 79.9 K t, partly due to tighter EU timber legality requirements (EUTR) that complicated imports. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted bagasse and straw supply chains, driving the market down further to 60.2 K t.

Post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 70.3 K t in 2021, supported by rising demand for moulded pulp packaging from e‑commerce. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 87.6 K t, as increased paper and board production in Spain boosted pulp consumption. Capacity expansion by Smurfit Westrock, which added bamboo pulp lines in 2023, helped push the market to a peak of 95.0 K t that year.

In 2024, market volume fell to 81.1 K t amid regulatory uncertainty ahead of the upcoming European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will require operators to prove that non‑wood fibres are deforestation‑free.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Spain's non-wood fiber pulp production rebounded in 2020. Output reached 106.0 million US dollars, marking a robust 10.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 95.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain ranked as the 16th largest producer of non-wood fiber pulp globally.

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Spain produced 87 057 tons of non-wood fiber pulp, showing only marginal year-over-year fluctuation compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 85 525 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 1.8% rise.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Non-wood fiber pulp exports from Spain increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Shipments totaled 51 224 tons, up 10.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 39 394 tons, which saw the largest decline of 26.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 17.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Italy were the top destinations for Spain's non-wood fiber pulp exports by volume. Germany accounted for 41.9% of exports, China for 13.0%, and Italy for 8.4%. Together, these three countries represented 63.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Spain's non-wood fiber pulp exports rebounded in 2020. Export value reached 73 218 thousand US dollars, up 22.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.2%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 60 000 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 9.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and Germany were the key destinations for Spain's non-wood fiber pulp exports by value. China accounted for 19.6% of export value, Japan for 17.5%, and Germany for 14.9%. Collectively, these three markets represented 52.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports non wood fibre pulp to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Non-wood fiber pulp imports into Spain declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volume totaled 24 355 tons, down 38.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 45.5%, with an average annual decline of 18.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 46 273 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Germany, and Sweden were the leading suppliers of non-wood fiber pulp to Spain by volume. Canada accounted for 52.3% of imports, Germany for 17.4%, and Sweden for 17.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 86.9% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign non-wood fiber pulp supplies to Spain declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value amounted to 18 868 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 40.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.8%, with an average annual decline of 15.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 37 630 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 22.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Germany, and Sweden were the main sources of non-wood fiber pulp imports into Spain by value. Canada accounted for 40.2% of import value, Germany for 32.4%, and Sweden for 12.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented 85.3% of total import flows.

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

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