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

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for unbleached kraft pulp in the CIS fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 3.9 million tons in 2020. This increase was driven by expanded domestic production capacity, including a notable rise in wood pulp output, and was supported by reduced exports due to ongoing sanction restrictions affecting shipments to Europe. The market had previously contracted in 2019, influenced by a decline in production coupled with growing export volumes, particularly to China, which became a major destination.

Sanctions played a defining role in reshaping trade flows. The introduction of the EU's eighth sanctions package in 2022, which prohibited supplies of Russian pulp and paper, accelerated a strategic reorientation of exports towards China. By 2023, China accounted for nearly 90% of Russia's pulp exports. This shift, alongside stable domestic production focused on sulfate pulp, contributed to a gradual stabilization of the domestic market volume around 3.6 million tons in the latter part of the period.

Internal market dynamics were further influenced by a sustained policy of import substitution and the development of new downstream applications. State procurement programs supported demand, while the industrial-scale launch of new products like high-strength cardboard for pharmaceutical packaging and specialized offset paper created additional domestic consumption channels for pulp, helping to balance the market.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in CIS

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 2019, production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) in the CIS reached its lowest point at 3 817 thousand tons, with a significant decline of 7.1% that year. However, by 2020, output rebounded to 4 316 thousand tons, marking a 13.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%.

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

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

CIS exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 412.5 thousand tons—a slight drop of 3.0% from 2019. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 460.7 thousand tons, with a substantial increase of 24.9% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 7.7%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, South Korea, and Germany were the top contributors to CIS exports in volume terms. China accounted for 40.1% of exports, South Korea for 13.4%, and Germany for 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 61.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from the CIS showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Exports peaked in 2018 at 294.8 million US dollars, with a sharp increase of 82.9% that year. However, by 2020, exports fell to 152.9 million US dollars, a significant decline of 19.8% from 2019. The lowest point was in 2020, creating a 1.9-fold gap compared to the 2018 high. In 2019, exports experienced the largest drop of 35.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and Germany consistently led as the main destinations for CIS exports in value terms. China contributed 39.7% of export value, South Korea 12.8%, and Germany 7.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 59.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

CIS imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) decreased to approximately 5.0 thousand tons in 2020, a decline of 37.0% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 7.9 thousand tons, with a notable increase of 44.0% that year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 26.1%, averaging an annual decrease of 9.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Finland, Sweden, and Germany were the primary sources for CIS imports in volume terms. Finland accounted for 6.3% of imports, Sweden for 3.1%, and Germany for 0.8%. Together, these countries made up 10.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

CIS imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, standing at 3.0 million US dollars—a drop of 46.3% from 2019. The peak import value was in 2018 at 6.4 million US dollars, with a rise of 42.1% that year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for CIS imports in value terms were Finland, Sweden, and Germany. Finland contributed 7.5% of import value, Sweden 3.5%, and Germany 1.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 12.2% of total import flows.

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

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