Non wood fibre pulp market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-wood fibre pulp in the United Kingdom showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. After increasing to 45 973 tonnes in 2019, it dropped sharply to 34 739 tonnes in 2020 before rebounding to a peak of 47 299 tonnes in 2021. The following year saw another decline to 36 996 tonnes, with the market then recovering to 40 265 tonnes in 2023.

In the latter part of the period, the market was influenced by a growing emphasis on sustainability within the pulp and paper industry. European and UK sector trends highlighted a shift towards non-wood fibres such as sugar cane bagasse, wheat straw, and hemp as sustainable alternatives to wood pulp, driven by environmental concerns and consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging. This interest, coupled with ongoing environmental regulations and efforts to reduce carbon emissions, provided a supportive backdrop for the market's growth in 2023.

Domestic production remained steady at 7 000 tonnes annually from 2018 through 2022, then rose to 9 000 tonnes in 2023. This increase coincided with technological developments in the industry, including research into energy-efficient non-thermal water removal methods and targets to boost the bioenergy share in production, as noted in industry reports from 2022.

Production non wood fibre pulp in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 7 K t of non-wood fibre pulp, with production remaining virtually unchanged compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2019 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports non wood fibre pulp from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest exports were registered in 2021, while the highest occurred in 2020, reflecting a 4.6-fold gap between these years. In 2021, cross-border shipments of non-wood fibre pulp from the United Kingdom reached 2 865 t, representing a drop of 78.1% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 13 096 t, and the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 34.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for exports in kind of non-wood fibre pulp from the United Kingdom were the Netherlands, accounting for 34.3% of exports, Germany with 17.4%, and Spain at 16.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 68.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the United Kingdom exported 3 120 K $ US of non-wood fibre pulp, representing a sharp contraction of 52.2% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 39.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 6 534 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 33.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the largest buyers of non-wood fibre pulp from the United Kingdom in value terms were the Netherlands, accounting for 21.3% of exports, Germany with 17.4%, and Slovenia at 14.2%. Together, these three countries formed 52.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports non wood fibre pulp to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, the United Kingdom's non-wood fibre pulp import volume amounted to 43 164 t, up by 5.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 40 835 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 48 848 t. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 16.4%, and the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, the primary suppliers of non-wood fibre pulp to the United Kingdom in kind were Sweden, accounting for 25.0% of imports, the Philippines with 20.1%, and Germany at 9.6%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 54.6% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the volume of non-wood fibre pulp imports to the United Kingdom amounted to 79 547 K $ US, up by 3.1% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 7.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 80 080 K $ US, with the largest decline in 2020 at 3.7% and the largest increase in 2019 at 8.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for imports in value terms of non-wood fibre pulp to the United Kingdom were the Philippines, accounting for 58.6% of imports, Germany with 7.8%, and Sweden at 6.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 72.7% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021