Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Eastern Europe increased from 4.5 million tons to a peak of 4.8 million tons in 2020. This growth occurred alongside strengthened export ties with China, which became the primary buyer for Russian pulp, and the onset of geopolitical tensions that later affected trade flows.

After 2020, the market volume declined, reaching 4.4 million tons by 2023. The European Union's eighth sanctions package in 2022, which banned supplies of Russian pulp and paper to Europe, redirected export routes and stimulated domestic demand. Increased production of paper and cardboard in Russia, along with the emergence of new product segments such as high-strength packaging for pharmaceuticals and offset paper, supported pulp consumption within the regional market.

By 2024, import substitution policies and ongoing sanctions maintained a focus on Asian markets and the development of domestic production capabilities. Pulp output in Russia remained stable, oriented toward meeting internal demand for paper and cardboard products derived from unbleached kraft pulp.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

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 Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reached 5 219 K t in 2020. This marked a 10.9% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 707 K t, with the largest decline of 4.4% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 411.3 K t, down 3.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports increased by 12.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 459.8 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 25.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for exports in kind were China, South Korea, and Germany. Together, they accounted for 61.2% of total export flows during this period.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) exported 153.0 M $ US of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reflecting a sharp year-over-year decline of 19.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 294.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 82.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 35.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China, South Korea, and Germany led the export structure in value terms. China accounted for 39.7% of exports, South Korea for 12.8%, and Germany for 7.3%. Combined, these three markets represented 59.8% of total export flows in value.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports reached 33.0 K t, showing a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 14.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 33.5 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not highly concentrated. Austria, Sweden, and Finland were the top suppliers, with shares of 18.6%, 17.7%, and 4.2%, respectively. Together, they captured only 40.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 18.8 M $ US, down 16.1% year-over-year. The peak import value was in 2018 at 25.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 33.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017–2020 period, Sweden, Austria, and Germany played notable roles as suppliers in value terms, with shares of 19.2%, 17.7%, and 4.4%, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 41.3% of total imports in value, indicating they were not dominant in the market.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020