Market research

Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Australia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Australian unbleached kraft pulp market volume showed moderate fluctuations, starting at 433 kt in 2018, peaking at 436 kt in 2019, then dipping to 424 kt in 2020 before recovering to 431 kt in 2021. The dip in 2020 coincided with global pulp price influences, including a drop in bleached softwood kraft prices in China that affected import economics.

The market expanded markedly in 2022, reaching 454 kt, as bleached hardwood kraft (BHK) imports grew despite global supply chain disruptions and freight cost increases that squeezed producer margins. However, 2023 saw a sharp contraction to 288 kt, with domestic production falling significantly amid continued volatility in import pulp prices, which were down 5.1% month-on-month but up 9.0% year-on-year by mid-2023.

Underlying demand for unbleached softwood kraft (UBK) as a cement board stabiliser and for potential kraftliner production provided a steady base, while closures of tissue production capacity in 2022 influenced pulp import patterns, reflecting shifts in downstream fiber consumption.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Australia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked as the world's 12th largest producer of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2021, Australia produced 383.0 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 383.0 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 399.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 4.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 1.8% rise.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.8%	(4.0%)	-	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Australia

Exports in kind, t

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Australia's export partner base for this product in kind was extremely narrow, with Canada accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with Canada responsible for 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Australia

Imports in kind, t

Australia's imports of foreign unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 47 626 t, reflecting a robust rise of 16.1% compared to the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 17.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 37 350 t, with the largest decline that year at 7.8%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.8%)	9.8%	16.1%	5.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, New Zealand dominated Australia's import structure in kind, holding a 99.7% share of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Australia's import volume of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased. In 2021, imports totaled 39 263 K $ US, showing a sharp rise of 47.5% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 12.9%, with an annualized rate of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 26 621 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 19.9%.

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

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(19.9%)	(4.4%)	47.5%	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, imports in value terms of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Australia were almost entirely concentrated in New Zealand, which accounted for 99.7% of the total.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io