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

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Northern America remained the world's largest producer of chemical wood pulp, with production focused on hardwood and softwood kraft pulps. Import prices for bleached chemical wood pulp reached historic highs, averaging $1,038 per ton, shaping market dynamics. By 2019, moderated import prices contributed to a decline in production to 31 041 thousand tons and market volume to 24 847 thousand tons.

From 2020 to 2022, production and market volume continued to contract, with output falling to 24 380 thousand tons and market size to 19 744 thousand tons by 2022.

In 2023, the closure of production facilities in North America due to aging assets, high financing costs, and a five-quarter cyclical recession directly reduced capacity. This led to a further drop in production to 22 430 thousand tons and market volume to 18 129 thousand tons. High producer inventories, especially for bleached softwood kraft pulp, added pressure on supply and demand.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Northern America

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 Northern America has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 27 073 K t, representing a 12.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 32 240 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America 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 Northern America has dropped for two consecutive years. In 2020, production was valued at 15 286 M $ US, marking a significant 24.3% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the production value declined by 20.9%, with an average annual reduction of 7.5%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 26 435 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual growth of 36.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern America exported 5 894 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades), showing a modest decline of 7.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.2%, with an average annual drop of 3.9%. The only increase during this timeframe was recorded in 2019, with a slight 0.8% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and Indonesia were the primary destinations for Northern America's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in volume terms. China accounted for 43.0% of exports, Japan for 5.9%, and Indonesia for 4.0%, collectively representing 52.8% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Northern America 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 Northern America has fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 328 M $ US, a substantial 19.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values declined by 22%, with an average annual reduction of 7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 166 M $ US, which saw the largest annual increase of 21.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 20.1% drop.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China, Japan, and Indonesia remained the top markets for Northern America's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Northern America have increased for the second year running. In 2020, imports reached 200 K t, a sharp 29.7% rise compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 154 K t, which also experienced the largest annual decrease of 31.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Chile, and Finland were the leading sources of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) imports into Northern America in volume terms. Brazil accounted for 48.1% of imports, Chile for 3.3%, and Finland for 1.1%, together making up 52.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) imports into Northern America has declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 225 M $ US, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import values increased by 13.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 239 M $ US, which saw the largest annual increase of 20.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 5.6% drop.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Brazil, Chile, and Finland were the principal sources for Northern America's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms. Brazil accounted for 43.1% of imports, Chile for 2.7%, and Finland for 0.8%, jointly representing 46.7% of total import flows.

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

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