Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The adoption of the ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature in 2018 facilitated regional trade in pulp and paper, setting a foundation for market integration. Market volume then rose by 8% to 5.8 million tons in 2020, coinciding with Asia Pulp & Paper's launch of its Signature brand, which introduced a new sustainable paper segment and stimulated consumer interest.

Growth continued through 2021 and 2022, with volume peaking at 6.7 million tons in 2022—a 14% annual increase. However, the market contracted by 5% to 6.4 million tons in 2023 as paper pulp production returned to pre‑pandemic levels while demand remained tepid, prompting manufacturers to scale back orders and reduce inventories.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

In 2020, ASEAN produced 9 643 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, marking a gradual year-over-year increase of 6.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In ASEAN, the production value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 4 256 M $ US, down 16.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 039 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 34.2%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from ASEAN declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 363 K t, a modest decrease of 3.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 5 542 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for exports in kind were China, accounting for 68.2% of exports, Bangladesh at 6.9%, and South Korea at 6.6%. Together, these three countries represented 81.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from ASEAN declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 367 M $ US, a 24.0% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 3 626 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 36.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China remained the top buyer of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from ASEAN, accounting for 70.0% of total exports in value terms. The remaining exports were distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp imports, excluding dissolving grades, into ASEAN declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 1 532 K t, a significant reduction of 19.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 2 084 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of imports in kind was diverse. The United States accounted for 21.1% of imports, Canada for 16.8%, and Brazil for 8.9%, together forming 46.8% of total flows. The remaining 53.2% was spread across a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN's import value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 993 M $ US, a decline of 32.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.7%, with an annualized rate of 5.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 754 M $ US, which also had the largest increase of 47.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the United States, Canada, and Brazil—collectively absorbed 52.3% of total imports in value terms for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into ASEAN.

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

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