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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the bleached kraft pulp market in Southern Europe expanded, reaching 6.4 million tons in 2019, supported by continued global demand growth and an emphasis on sustainability from forest base expansion. However, in 2020, market volume contracted to 6.1 million tons due to an economic slowdown in the European Union, which caused a 4% drop in paper and board consumption, directly reducing pulp demand.

After a modest recovery to 6.2 million tons in 2021, the market surged to 6.9 million tons in 2022. This increase coincided with the closure of production lines in North America and Finland, which tightened global supply, and the adoption of more environmentally friendly bleaching processes that boosted demand from hygiene and packaging sectors.

In 2023, market volume fell to 6.0 million tons, partly driven by increased Chinese purchases of bleached hardwood kraft pulp, where competitive prices and high woodchip import costs made pulp imports more attractive, diverting demand from other regions. In 2024, the industry continues to focus on sustainability, with Smurfit Kappa increasing pulp capacity by 10% and Suzano reducing water usage by 15%, although stricter environmental regulations on deforestation may raise costs.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Southern Europe

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

Southern Europe's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3 605 K t, showing little change from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 692 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Europe's production value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 670 M $ US, representing a 13.9% decrease compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 380 M $ US. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 18.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 2 163 K t of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades), marking a gradual increase of 3.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 2 178 K t. The most notable decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 7.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland were key buyers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Southern Europe, accounting for 16.4%, 13.6%, and 11.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share made up only 41.8% of total exports, with the remaining 58.2% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's export value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 002 M $ US, reflecting a significant drop of 10.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 10.1%, with an annualized rate of 3.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 404 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 20.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 26.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands were important destinations for Southern Europe's semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms, with shares of 16.1%, 12.4%, and 11.8%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 40.3% of total export value, while the other 59.7% was distributed among many other partners.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Southern Europe's import volume of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) declined. In 2020, imports reached 4 671 K t, showing a gradual decrease of 4.3% year-over-year. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 4 882 K t, which also saw the largest increase at 1.7%.

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

The import structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with Brazil, Sweden, and the United States accounting for 27.1%, 11.9%, and 10.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 49.6% of total flows, and no single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's import value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 413 M $ US, indicating a sharp drop of 23.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 18.1%, with an annualized rate of 6.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 799 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase at 28.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Brazil, the United States, and Sweden were the main sources for Southern Europe's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in value terms, with shares of 26.4%, 12.2%, and 12.2%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 50.9% of total import value.

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

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