Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Portugal, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for bleached kraft pulp in Portugal contracted from 1.5 million tons to 1.3 million tons. This decline coincided with the industry's strong export orientation, led by The Navigator Company, which exported 80% of its production, contributing to sustained high outbound shipments while domestic production gradually eased.

The market rebounded to 1.5 million tons by 2022. This recovery was underpinned by increased investment in packaging technology and growing consumer preference for sustainable packaging, which stimulated demand. Subsequently, robust demand for eucalyptus bleached kraft pulp drove prices up by over €200 per ton in 2022, while supply constraints, including the drought-related shutdown of the Ence factory in Pontevedra, prompted producers to maintain full output to build safety stocks.

In 2023, market volume fell to 1.3 million tons, returning to levels similar to 2020.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal ranked 11th globally in the production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2018-2021

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2018-2021

Portugal's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased after a two-year decline. In 2021, the country produced 2 489 K t, which was 4.8% higher than in 2020. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 2 374 K t, with the largest decline of 1.7% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Portugal

Exports in kind, K t

Portugal's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined after a two-year rise. In 2021, exports totaled 1 202 K t, showing a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak export volume was in 2020 at 1 228 K t, when the largest increase of 5.1% was recorded.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Portugal exported semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to a wide range of markets. The top three destinations were Spain (18.9% of exports in volume), the Netherlands (13.4%), and Poland (13.3%), which together accounted for 45.6% of total exports. The remaining 54.4% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Portugal's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased after a two-year reduction. In 2021, export value reached 741.6 M $ US, up 34.4% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 551.9 M $ US, and the largest decline of 11.1% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Spain (19.4% of exports in value), Germany (14.2%), and Poland (13.7%) were key buyers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Portugal. However, their combined share made up only 47.4% of total export value, with the remaining 52.6% spread across many other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Portugal

Imports in kind, K t

Portugal's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased after a two-year decline. In 2021, import volume was 148 K t, a modest rise of 3.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 22.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 144 K t, and the largest drop of 17.9% took place in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden (30.9% of imports in volume), Spain (19.1%), and Finland (12.0%) were the leading sources for Portugal's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. Together, they accounted for 62.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Portugal's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased after a two-year contraction. In 2021, import value totaled 108.7 M $ US, a significant improvement of 42.4% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 27.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 76.3 M $ US, with the largest decline of 33.7% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Sweden, Spain, and Finland dominated Portugal's imports in value terms for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, collectively representing 60.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021