Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at 9 000 тыс. т in 2018 before contracting to 7 300 тыс. т the following year. A recovery to 8 191 тыс. т occurred in 2020, supported by continued growth in demand for pulp, which emphasized sustainable production practices and technological advancements in manufacturing.

Market volume expanded further to 8 653 тыс. т in 2021, driven by a region-wide increase in paper and board production and rising demand for sustainable packaging materials. However, volume fell back to 7 734 тыс. т in 2022, a period marked by stricter environmental regulations affecting operations and rising energy and transportation costs that pressured the supply chain.

A sharp rebound followed in 2023, with consumption reaching 9 996 тыс. т. This growth was fueled by significant industrial expansion and capacity investments, particularly in Brazil, and a surge in demand for eco-friendly packaging linked to the growth of e-commerce across the region.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Latin America and the Caribbean

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

In Latin America and the Caribbean, production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) reached 26,096 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 26,223 thousand tonnes, which saw a 6.3% increase that year. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at $10,116 million US, representing a 19.1% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 16%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $15,549 million US, which saw a 29.2% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 19.6% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 19,369 thousand tonnes, reflecting a slight increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 11.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for exports in kind of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Latin America and the Caribbean were China (44.9% of exports), the United States (11.8% of exports), and the Netherlands (9.2% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 65.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) exports from Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value was recorded at $7,508 million US, indicating a significant drop of 21.1% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $11,120 million US, which saw a 31.3% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China (44.9% of exports in value terms), the United States (11.4% of exports in value terms), and the Netherlands (9.0% of exports in value terms) were the principal destinations for exports in value terms. Collectively, these three countries represented 65.2% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Latin America and the Caribbean increased. In 2020, import volume totaled 1,464 thousand tonnes, amounting to a moderate increase of 6.1% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,379 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 9.9% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (45.4% of imports in kind), Canada (2.9% of imports in kind), and Free Zones (0.6% of imports in kind) were the principal suppliers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) to Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, these sources accounted for 48.8% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at $995 million US, down by 3.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at $1,219 million US, which saw a 14.0% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (49.4% of imports in value terms), Canada (2.9% of imports in value terms), and Sweden (0.5% of imports in value terms) led the structure of imports in value terms. Together, these three countries represented 52.9% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020