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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in Eastern Asia showed consistent expansion from 2018 to 2023, with production rising from 15,244 thousand tons to 25,515 thousand tons. Initial growth was supported by China's position as a major global producer of hardwood kraft pulp, underpinning strong domestic output. Furthermore, evolving global supply chains and trade policies, including U.S.-China trade frictions, influenced import flows and contributed to market dynamics during this period.

A significant shift occurred as domestic paper manufacturers accelerated the integration of forestry, pulp, and paper operations to reduce reliance on imported pulp. This strategic move fueled a sharp rise in domestic production and altered import patterns. Concurrently, the market structure evolved, with demand for packaging paper driving an increasing share of pulp consumption, supporting overall market growth despite adjustments in other paper segments.

The market continued its strong growth in 2023, with size reaching 53,148 thousand tons. This was propelled by the launch of new large-scale pulp capacity both internationally and within China, which increased supply. At the same time, steady growth in Chinese pulp consumption, coupled with the permanent closure of some production lines abroad, created a tighter supply environment. Looking ahead to 2024, multiple new chemical pulp projects came online, intensifying competition, while industry recovery and a focus on integrated operations shaped the market's trajectory.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Eastern Asia

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

Eastern Asia's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 17 192 K t, marking a 6.1% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 9 132 M $ US, down 12.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 2.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 11 827 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 32.5%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia exported 156 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in 2020, up 4.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 26.3%, with an average annual rate of 8.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 170 K t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 37.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest decline of 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Asia's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) reached a wide range of markets. Vietnam accounted for 4.5% of exports in kind, Iran for 3.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.3%, together making up 8.8% of the total. The remaining 91.2% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Import levels varied by a factor of 1.7, with the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, cross-border shipments of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Eastern Asia totaled 83 M $ US, a 14.6% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 132 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 71.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, down 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were the top buyers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Eastern Asia in value terms, but they did not dominate the market. Vietnam contributed 5.2% of exports, Iran 4.0%, and the UAE 1.4%, together accounting for 10.5% of total exports. The bulk of exports, 89.5%, went to a diverse array of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of value_last_year} K t, up 7.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 17.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia were the leading sources for Eastern Asia's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in kind. Brazil accounted for 29.0% of imports, Canada for 14.2%, and Indonesia for 14.1%, together making up 57.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 13 103 M $ US, down 12.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 17 623 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, down 15.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Canada, and Indonesia formed the core group of markets for Eastern Asia's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms. Brazil contributed 26.9% of imports, Canada 15.5%, and Indonesia 13.0%, together accounting for 55.3% of total import flows.

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

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