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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Japanese market for unbleached kraft pulp contracted from 894 thousand tons to 815 thousand tons. This decline was driven by machine shutdowns among major paper manufacturers as demand for print media shrank. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated digitalization, further reducing paper demand, though increased exports to Asia partially offset the domestic slump.

Market volume recovered to 917 thousand tons in 2021, supported by soaring pulp prices and strong Chinese demand that boosted production. The implementation of the Plastic Resource Circulation Promotion Law in April 2022 encouraged a shift from plastic to paper packaging, helping lift the market to 958 thousand tons. However, in 2023, overall paper and board shipments continued to fall, and despite relative strength in packaging paper, the market dropped to 866 thousand tons.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Japan ranked as the 7th largest producer of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, during the period from 2018 to 2021.

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

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

Following a two-year decline, Japan's production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rebounded in 2021. That year, output reached 1 015 K t, marking a 7.5% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 944 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 2.4%.

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

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Japan

Exports in kind, K t

In 2021, Japan exported 116.1 K t of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, representing a 20.3% decrease year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 5.3%, translating to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest export volume occurred in 2019 at 109.9 K t, while the peak was in 2020 at 145.7 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 32.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China and South Korea collectively accounted for 83.4% of Japan's total exports in volume, with other countries making up a more diverse but smaller share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Japan's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 80 841 K $ US, a significant 12.8% rise from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export value declined by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 62 474 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 35.4%, while the largest increase of 14.7% occurred in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China and South Korea dominated Japan's export value, concentrating 82.0% of the total, with the remainder spread across other destinations in smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Japan

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year contraction, Japan's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, rose in 2021 to 18.2 K t, a 5.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 span, imports decreased by 37%, with a compound annual decline of 14.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 17.2 K t, which also recorded the largest drop of 23.7%.

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

During 2018-2021, Sweden, Canada, and the United States were the primary suppliers of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Japan, accounting for 36.7%, 23.1%, and 14.9% of imports in volume, respectively. Together, they made up 74.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, Japan's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, surged in 2021 to 15 001 K $ US, a sharp 44.8% gain compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, import value fell by 42.9%, equating to an annualized decrease of 17.0%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 10 362 K $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 38.7%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Sweden, Canada, and the United States remained the key sources for Japan's imports in value terms, contributing 34.0%, 24.9%, and 15.2%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 74.1% of total import flows.

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

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