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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Iran's market for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp experienced considerable volume fluctuations, driven almost entirely by changes in import levels while domestic production remained fixed at 75 thousand tons annually. The market size reached a peak of 301 thousand tons in 2020 before falling to 207 thousand tons by 2023, with import volumes indicating continued low levels into 2024.

The market's movement was influenced by several key factors. Rising global pulp prices increased production costs for the domestic paper industry, contributing to a slight contraction in import volumes in 2019. In 2020, the industry's reliance on imported pulp, amid reported raw material supply shortages, led to a temporary increase in shipments, pushing market size to its highest point. A sharp drop followed in 2021, linked to persistently high global prices and changes to Iran's import policies and tariffs that restricted inbound flows. Although international sanctions continued to affect access to raw materials, imports partially recovered in 2022 before falling again significantly in 2023.

Throughout the period, industry focus included technological improvements aimed at enhancing product quality, such as the use of specific bleaching agents like sodium hypochlorite and the optimized application of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate in pulp processing.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iran produced 75,000 tons of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. Production remained relatively stable compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iran in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Iraq were the core markets for Iran's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. Together, they accounted for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and Iraq led the country ranking for exports in value terms, with their combined share reaching 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Iran

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Iran's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reached 226.2 thousand tons, marking a modest 4.7% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 4.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 216.1 thousand tons, with the largest decline of 1.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States were the top suppliers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Iran. Turkey accounted for 32.1% of imports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 23.0%, and the United States for 10.3%. Their combined share totaled 65.4% of all imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Iran's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume amounted to 175.3 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate year-over-year decrease of 9.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 208.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 20.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States led the ranking of suppliers in value terms for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Iran. Turkey held a 32.4% share of imports in value, the United Arab Emirates 23.2%, and the United States 11.7%. Together, they represented 67.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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