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

Earlier Report Observations

The unbleached kraft pulp market in Australia and New Zealand was initially supported by growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions and ongoing investments in production modernization. However, domestic market volume fell from 588.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 486.4 thousand tons in 2020, as producers increasingly supplied strong export demand from Asia-Pacific for corrugated packaging materials, while the COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously disrupted supply chains and raised operational costs.

Market volume recovered to 502.7 thousand tons in 2021 and surged to 613.4 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was first aided by policy changes that favored imports of high-quality pulp, and then decisively driven by regulatory bans on single-use plastics in both countries, which boosted domestic consumption of pulp-based packaging and stimulated local production.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply to 420.7 thousand tons, even as export shipments remained substantial at over 237 thousand tons, indicating the continued importance of external trade flows for the region's pulp industry.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

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

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

Production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output reached 707.7 K t, marking a slight drop of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 3.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 750.5 K t, with the largest increase of 2.6% occurring that same year. In contrast, the most significant decline of 4.6% was observed in 2020.

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

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Australia and New Zealand declined. In 2021, exports totaled 256.5 K t, down by 6.5% from the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 39.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2020 at 274.4 K t, with the largest increase of 37.0% occurring in 2019.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Thailand, and Malaysia formed the core group of markets for exports in kind. China accounted for 33.2% of exports, Thailand for 15.5%, and Malaysia for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 54.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, the value of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp exports, excluding dissolving grades, from Australia and New Zealand increased. In 2021, exports amounted to 192.6 M $ US, reflecting a sharp rise of 33.0% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 144.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.2% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Thailand, and Malaysia remained the main destinations for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp exports in value terms. China accounted for 28.1% of exports, Thailand for 17.4%, and Malaysia for 6.7%. Collectively, these three markets represented 52.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Australia and New Zealand increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 51.6 K t, corresponding to a strong rise of 14.4% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 40.0 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.9% that year.

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

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, the value of imported unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Australia and New Zealand increased. In 2021, imports stood at 39.8 M $ US, which is 49.6% higher compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value rose by 14.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 26.6 M $ US, with the largest decline of 19.9% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

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

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