Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in ASEAN, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN market for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023, with volume reaching 435.7 thousand tons in 2018 before dropping to 316.8 thousand tons in 2019. The market then rebounded sharply to 489.4 thousand tons in 2021, largely due to heightened demand for tissue and packaging paper in Vietnam, which spurred regional production and imports. This growth was underpinned by the significant presence of state-owned enterprises and large private players like Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), which expanded their product lines and operated major facilities across Indonesia and China.

After the 2021 peak, market volume declined to 409.0 thousand tons in 2022 as geopolitical trade tensions and soaring energy costs, especially in Indonesia where gas prices hit USD 9–11 per MMBtu, raised production expenses. The market recovered to 430.8 thousand tons in 2023, supported by sustained packaging paper demand in Vietnam and capacity expansions by firms such as Lee & Man and Vina Kraft. Environmental regulations also prompted mills to adopt cleaner technologies, including chlorine-free bleaching and greater use of recycled fibers.

Regulatory developments continued to shape the industry, with Malaysia ending its moratorium on manufacturing licenses for the paper sector in March 2024 and introducing tax incentives for kraft paper production. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s pulp exports surged to USD 8.09 billion, demonstrating the region’s export strength. Consumer preferences in ASEAN increasingly leaned toward eco-friendly packaging, aligning with industry sustainability initiatives like APP’s Green Label certification from the Singapore Environment Council.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

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

In 2020, ASEAN produced 137.0 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades, marking a modest 7.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 128.0 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 137.0 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.6%.

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

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, showing a dramatic 45 743 614-fold increase between these years. In 2020, ASEAN exported 45.7 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades, representing a substantial gain of 4 574 361 290.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K t, with the largest decline that year being 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was overwhelmingly the dominant market for ASEAN's exports in kind of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades, accounting for 98.3% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 21 375-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ASEAN's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades totaled 21.4 M $ US, indicating a significant advance of 2 137 425.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, with the largest decline that year being 99.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, China was by far the primary destination for ASEAN's exports in value terms of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades, representing 98.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, ASEAN imported 242.4 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades, up by 28.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 188.8 K t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 299.5 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for ASEAN's imports in kind of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades were Canada (24.6% of imports), the United States (20.2%), and Russia (17.0%). Together, these three markets accounted for 61.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

ASEAN imported 137.3 M $ US of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades in 2020, corresponding to a modest 3.6% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 132.5 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 254.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 48.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 52.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key partners for ASEAN's imports in value terms of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades were Canada (25.0% of imports), the United States (19.6%), and New Zealand (16.9%). Collectively, these three countries accounted for 61.5% of total import flows.

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

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