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

Earlier Report Observations

Brazil solidified its position as a major producer of semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp, with market volume reaching 3 950 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by the dominance of large companies like Suzano and growing demand for sustainable packaging. However, the market volume dropped to 2 396 thousand tonnes in 2019 before recovering to 2 805 thousand tonnes in 2020, partly due to industrial expansion policies and increased interest in bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) as a sustainable alternative, despite supply chain adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A sharp increase to 4 117 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021, driven by the entry of new players and the launch of large production facilities, alongside the adoption of new bleaching technologies and stricter sustainability regulations. After declining to 3 083 thousand tonnes in 2022, the market volume grew to 3 649 thousand tonnes in 2023, reflecting continued investments in innovations to reduce environmental impact and shifting consumer preferences toward biodegradable packaging.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Brazil ranked as the second-largest producer of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from 2018 to 2021.

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

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

Brazil's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output reached 19 644 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate increase of 7.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 6.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 17 003 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 7.5% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Brazil's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rebounded in value terms. In 2021, the output was valued at 8 009 million US dollars, showing a significant advance of 20.5% over 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 19.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 6 648 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 19.3% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Brazil

Exports in kind, K t

Brazil's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 15 678 thousand tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, China, the United States, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of Brazil's semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in volume terms. China accounted for 43.7% of exports, the United States for 14.7%, and the Netherlands for 9.2%, with their combined share reaching 67.7% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Brazil's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased in value. In 2021, exports reached 6 392 million US dollars, representing a robust increase of 12.4% compared to the previous year. However, from 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 18.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5 689 million US dollars, with the largest drop of 20.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, China, the United States, and Italy were the largest buyers of Brazil's semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms. China held a 41.9% share of exports, the United States 15.2%, and Italy 9.4%, together forming 66.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Brazil

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Brazil's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, totaled 151 thousand tonnes, indicating a robust decrease of 11.3% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 119 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 171 thousand tonnes. The largest decline of 29.1% occurred in 2019, followed by the largest increase of 42.8% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in volume terms were primarily directed towards Argentina and the United States. Their combined share reached 92.7% of total imports, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Brazil imported 129 million US dollars worth of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in 2021, marking a robust increase of 11.6% from the previous year. However, from 2018 to 2021, import value decreased by 5.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 116 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 148 million US dollars. The largest decline of 22.1% occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, Argentina and the United States remained the key destinations for Brazil's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms. Together, they accounted for 93.2% of total import flows, while other partners were much less significant individually.

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

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021