Sanitary paper products market in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the US sanitary paper products market volume expanded from 4.1 million tons to 5.0 million tons. This growth was primarily driven by manufacturers introducing antibacterial and biodegradable products to meet rising hygiene and sustainability demands, alongside a shift in consumer preferences toward items made from recycled materials. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further intensified demand for hygiene-related goods such as tissues and paper towels.

Market volume declined after its 2020 peak, falling to 4.5 million tons by 2022. This contraction coincided with the implementation of tariffs that increased costs for imported pulp, machinery, and packaging materials, pressuring manufacturers' margins. Concurrently, new state-level regulatory demands, including ingredient disclosure laws for menstrual products and extended producer responsibility programs, added complexity and cost to market operations.

Subsequent developments included the entry of new players like Bampooh LLC with sustainable bamboo toilet paper and significant investments by established companies in automated manufacturing technologies. The regulatory environment continued to evolve with a focus on recyclable packaging and labeling requirements, influencing product development and market structure.

Production sanitary paper products in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, has seen production of sanitary paper products grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 451 thousand tons of these products, marking a moderate increase of 4.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sanitary paper products production in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 13 991 million US dollars, representing a 3.6% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 22.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports sanitary paper products from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, sanitary paper products exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, increased in 2020. Exports totaled 527 thousand tons, showing a small rise of 1.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest point was in 2019, with 519 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada accounted for 74.0% of total sanitary paper products exports in kind from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, while the remaining flows were distributed among various smaller partners.

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

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, sanitary paper products exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, amounted to 1 655 million US dollars, indicating a 0.9% increase from the prior year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 641 million US dollars, with the highest in 2018 at 1 724 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Canada dominated sanitary paper products exports in value terms from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, holding 74.0% of total flows, with other countries each having significantly smaller shares.

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

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Imports sanitary paper products to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Imports in kind, K t

Sanitary paper products imports into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1 061 thousand tons, reflecting a 16.2% improvement year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 26.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for sanitary paper products imports in kind to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, were China with 37.8%, Canada with 36.7%, and Mexico with 14.5%, together accounting for 89.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, sanitary paper products imports into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, totaled 2 955 million US dollars, showing an 11.8% advance compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 18.9%, equating to a 5.9% annualized rate, with the largest decline recorded in 2019 at 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada with 41.0%, China with 30.6%, and Mexico with 14.9% formed the main group of sources for sanitary paper products imports in value terms to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with a combined share of 86.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020