Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed significant volatility, peaking at 3 394 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was primarily driven by the expansion of new product types based on sulfate pulp, such as high-strength cardboard and offset paper, which stimulated domestic production and supply.

Market dynamics were also shaped by external factors, including EU sanctions, introduced in 2023 but affecting the market from 2019, which restricted pulp and paper supplies to Europe. The reorientation of exports towards China, with shipments growing by 33.9% over the 2019‑2023 period, contributed to a reduction in domestic market volume in 2020 and 2023. Additionally, state procurement under regulations 44‑FZ and 223‑FZ provided demand stability from 2017 onward.

In 2024, the development of new segments such as pharmaceutical packaging and medical printing based on sulfate pulp continued, supporting production. Exports to China remained the main direction, positively impacting the industry.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

Production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 3 507 K t, showing a moderate increase of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 14.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 2 651 K t, representing a significant rise of 19.4% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 19.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 114 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Germany, and South Korea were the primary destinations for exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). China accounted for 59.2% of export volume, Germany for 6.1%, and South Korea for 3.5%. Together, these three countries represented 68.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 1 264 M $ US, up 4.1% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 214 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.8%. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 1 593 M $ US, marking the largest increase of 25.1% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and South Korea formed the main cluster of markets for exports in value terms. China represented 56.7% of export value, Germany 7.7%, and South Korea 3.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 67.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 1 918 K t, a modest increase of 3.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 10.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was quite broad. Sweden accounted for 16.3% of import volume, Finland for 15.2%, and the United States for 14.2%. Together, these three countries represented 45.6% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value totaled 1 051 M $ US, down 16.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 444 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 30.8% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. The United States accounted for 17.6% of import value, Sweden for 17.0%, and Finland for 14.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.5% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020