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

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean market for bleached kraft pulp is dominated by large state-owned and private producers, with ongoing investments in plant efficiency and capacity. After a decline in domestic market value to $207 million in 2019, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains and logistics, which reduced export volumes and subsequently increased the local market size to $293 million.

International demand for sustainable packaging materials continued to shape the market. After a period of relative stability in 2021, strong export performance for bleached and semi-bleached pulp in 2022, driven by robust global demand, drew supply away from the domestic market, lowering its value to $272 million. The following year, a significant contraction in exports led to a sharp rise in domestic availability, pushing the market size to $456 million in 2023.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Chile ranked as the 9th 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

Chile's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, fell for the third year in a row. In 2021, output reached 3 901 K t, down 11.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production dropped by 13.5%, averaging an annual decline of 4.7%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Chile's production value for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rebounded. In 2021, it was valued at 2 381 M $ US, up 13.5% from 2020. However, from 2018 to 2021, the overall value fell by 31.5%, with an average annual decrease of 11.8%. The lowest point was in 2020 at 2 098 M $ US, and the sharpest drop occurred in 2019, falling by 26.1%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Chile's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports stood at 3 464 K t, a modest 9.0% decline from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 span, exports fell by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, South Korea, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of Chile's semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in volume terms. China accounted for 55.6% of exports, South Korea for 7.0%, and the Netherlands for 6.3%, together making up 69.0% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year downturn, Chile's export value for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rose. In 2021, it totaled 2 114 M $ US, a significant 16.3% increase from the prior year. Yet, from 2018 to 2021, the overall value decreased by 34.7%, averaging an annual drop of 13.3%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 1 818 M $ US, and the largest decline was in 2019, down 26.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, South Korea, and the Netherlands remained the leading buyers of Chile's semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms. China held 57.0% of exports, South Korea 6.7%, and the Netherlands 5.9%, collectively representing 69.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Chile's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reached 19 K t, an 11.6% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 16.5%, with an average annual rise of 5.2%. The largest decrease was in 2020, down 0.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the United States dominated Chile's import volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, with an 89.8% share of total flows, while other partners had much smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Chile's import value for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, surged. In 2021, imports totaled 18 M $ US, a sharp 35.2% jump from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, the overall value increased by 19.4%, averaging an annual growth of 6.1%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 14 M $ US, and the largest decline was also in 2020, down 9.8%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States was the dominant source for Chile's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms, consistently making up 90.2% of total flows.

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

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