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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in Spain gradually increased from 1 293 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 340 thousand tons in 2020. It then contracted to 1 101 thousand tons in 2021, surged to 1 730 thousand tons in 2022, and fell back to 1 123 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, the industry saw significant developments, including a 10% production capacity expansion by Smurfit Kappa and the adoption of water-saving technologies by Suzano, aimed at improving operational sustainability. Growing demand for sustainable packaging and paper products supported pulp consumption, while volatile raw material prices and stricter environmental regulations, which blocked over 15% of production, introduced cost pressures and supply constraints.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain ranked as the 14th largest global producer of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

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

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

After two years of decline, Spain's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rebounded in 2020. Output reached 1 231 K t, marking a 2.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.3%, averaging an annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 203 K t, which saw the steepest drop of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Spain's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Output was valued at 565.8 M $ US, reflecting a 6.5% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 17%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 801.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 17.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the sharpest decline of 24.5%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Spain's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, totaled 894 K t, a modest increase of 1.8% from 2019. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 878 K t, which saw the largest decline of 3.3%. Exports peaked in 2018 at 907 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's export structure for this pulp in kind was diversified rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 21.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 14.8%, and Poland for 11.1%, together representing 47.5% of total flows. The remaining 52.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Spain's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, fell for the second year in a row in 2020. Export value reached 410.7 M $ US, down 7.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.6%, averaging an annual decline of 5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 581.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 19.6%. In 2019, exports experienced the steepest drop of 24.1%.

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

Analysis of Spain's export value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. Germany held 17.2% of export value, Poland 12.1%, and Italy 10.6%, together accounting for 40.0% of total flows. The remaining 60.0% was spread across other trading partners.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rose for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volume reached 1 003 K t, up 0.6% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 950 K t, which saw the largest decline of 8.0%. In 2019, imports increased by 4.9%, the highest growth rate in the period.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Brazil, and Sweden were the primary sources for Spain's imports of this pulp in kind. Portugal accounted for 20.3% of imports, Brazil for 19.9%, and Sweden for 18.1%, together making up 58.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of Spain's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Import value stood at 548.8 M $ US, a 15.6% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 13.4%, averaging an annual decline of 4.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 806.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 27.2%. In 2019, imports experienced the sharpest drop of 19.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil, Sweden, and Portugal remained key partners for Spain's imports in value terms. Brazil and Sweden each accounted for 18.5% of import value, while Portugal contributed 16.8%, together representing 53.8% of total import flows.

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

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