Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in Australia and New Zealand expanded from 656 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 717 thousand tons in 2020, followed by stabilization at 714 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was accompanied by rising domestic production, which reached 640 thousand tons in 2019.

A sharp contraction began in 2022, with market volume falling to 643 thousand tons and then plummeting to 450 thousand tons in 2023. This decline coincided with a global drop in pulp prices, which reduced the profitability of local manufacturing and led to a cutback in output from 592 thousand tons in 2021 to just 357 thousand tons in 2023.

Trade flows also shifted during this period: imports rose to 352 thousand tons in 2022 before retreating, while exports steadily declined from 238 thousand tons in 2018 to 161 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting changing supply patterns.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2018-2021

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2018-2021

Production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in Australia and New Zealand fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 592.3 K t, down 1.7% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production dropped by 3.2%, averaging an annual decline of 1.1%. The highest production level was in 2019 at 640.0 K t, which saw the largest increase of 4.6%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2020, with a 5.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Australia and New Zealand declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 173.9 K t, a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 26.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, China, South Korea, and Indonesia were the top destinations for exports in volume terms. China accounted for 34.5% of exports, South Korea for 31.0%, and Indonesia for 8.0%, together making up 73.5% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Australia and New Zealand rebounded in value terms. In 2021, exports totaled 134.0 M $ US, surging 38.4% compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 30.3%, with an annualized rate of -11.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 96.9 M $ US, following the largest decline of 36.0% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, China, South Korea, and Indonesia led as the main buyers by value. China represented 32.9% of export value, South Korea 30.1%, and Indonesia 8.4%, collectively accounting for 71.4% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Australia and New Zealand totaled 296.1 K t in 2021, showing a slight contraction of 1.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 277.9 K t, which saw the largest decline of 1.6%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 299.3 K t, marking the largest increase of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil, Chile, and Finland were the primary sources for imports in volume terms. Brazil contributed 30.4% of imports, Chile 16.9%, and Finland 9.9%, together representing 57.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year drop, imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Australia and New Zealand increased in value terms. In 2021, imports amounted to approximately 204.0 M $ US, rising 20.4% from the previous year. However, from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 4.7%, with an annualized rate of -1.6%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 169.4 M $ US, after the largest decline of 13.1% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Brazil, Chile, and Finland were the key markets for imports by value, together accounting for 55.1% of total import value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Australia and New Zealand.

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

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021