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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for unbleached kraft pulp in China grew from 2,022 thousand tons to 2,264 thousand tons. This increase was primarily fueled by rising imports, which climbed from 805 thousand tons to 1,043 thousand tons. A key development in 2018 was the launch of China's first pulp futures contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange, which enhanced price transparency and market participation, likely supporting import activity. Domestic production remained steady at 1,222 thousand tons throughout this period.

The market expanded further, reaching a peak of 2,788 thousand tons in 2022 before declining to 2,443 thousand tons in 2023. The contraction in 2023 coincided with significant domestic capacity expansion, particularly for hardwood pulp, which intensified industry competition and altered import patterns. Major players like Nine Dragons Paper and Sun Paper actively pursued pulp-paper integration to boost raw material self-sufficiency. Imports fell sharply from 1,569 thousand tons in 2022 to 1,233 thousand tons in 2023, contributing to the overall market decrease.

In 2024, preliminary estimates indicate a continued market contraction to approximately 2,186 thousand tons, driven by a further drop in imports to 975 thousand tons. The pace of new capacity additions slowed markedly, while overseas supply was disrupted by strikes and accidents, supporting pulp prices. Concurrently, green manufacturing policies encouraged the development of low-whiteness and unbleached pulp technologies to reduce emissions.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked fifth globally in the production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

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

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

In 2020, China produced 1 222 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, which was virtually unchanged from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China exported 0.3 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, down by 79.7% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 K t, with the largest increase of 1 483.3% also occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea were the main markets for China's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, accounting for 63.6%, 15.9%, and 15.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 94.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, and the maximum in 2018, with a 31-fold variation between them. In 2020, deliveries of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from China totaled 0.7 M $ US, reflecting a 42.6% year-over-year decrease. The maximum value was 3.8 M $ US in 2018, with the largest decline of 68.2% in 2019 and the largest increase of 2 977.5% in 2018.

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

During 2017–2020, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia were the largest buyers of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from China in value terms, accounting for 64.3%, 11.4%, and 11.2% of exports, respectively. Together, they formed 86.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 043 K t, reflecting a solid improvement of 22.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017–2020, imports grew by 61.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Russia, and the United States were the biggest contributors to China's imports in kind of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, accounting for 30.8%, 18.3%, and 12.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 61.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported approximately 539.8 M $ US of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, amounting to a limited uptick of 3.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 662.3 M $ US, with the largest decline of 21.5% in 2019 and the largest increase of 73.7% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Chile, Russia, and Canada remained the key partners for China's imports in value terms of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, accounting for 32.7%, 17.2%, and 12.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 62.5% of total import flows.

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

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