Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, production of unbleached kraft pulp in Northern America declined from 22 660 thousand tons to 19 053 thousand tons, with the market volume falling from 22 418 thousand tons to 18 707 thousand tons. This contraction was primarily driven by industry-wide capacity optimization, including the closure of facilities that trimmed combined market pulp capacity by 1.6 million tonnes over the period. Increased export volumes, which peaked at 480 thousand tons in 2022, further reduced domestic availability.

In value terms, the market dropped from $25 696 million in 2018 to $16 190 million in 2023. This steeper decline in dollar terms reflects global pulp price volatility and supply chain disruptions that affected pricing, even as physical volumes saw a more moderate decrease. The industry's focus on modernization and cost control was a response to these challenging conditions.

Underlying demand fundamentals remained supported by the growing need for sustainable and recyclable packaging, fueled by e-commerce expansion and consumer preference for eco-friendly products. The emergence of plantation-based softwood pulp segments offered cost advantages, but these trends were insufficient to offset the overall reduction in production capacity.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Northern America

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

Northern America's production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 20,239 thousand tons, marking a significant 11.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 4%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 22,772 thousand tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 7.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Northern America's production value of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 14,710 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 21.6% contraction compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 23.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 8.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 25,897 million US dollars. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2019 at 27.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 34.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern America in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern America exported 245.8 thousand tons of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, showing a modest 3.5% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—China, Thailand, and Indonesia—collectively accounted for 58.9% of Northern America's total exports in volume of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern America's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 132.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 10.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 7.7%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 201.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 27.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 41.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Thailand, and Indonesia formed the core group of markets for Northern America's exports in value terms. China accounted for 33.3% of exports, Thailand for 18.9%, and Indonesia for 9.3%, together representing 61.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern America imported approximately 8.3 thousand tons of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, representing a dramatic 1,787.1% increase year-over-year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 67.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and Brazil were notable suppliers of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Northern America, jointly accounting for 2.5% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports fluctuated significantly, with a 70-fold difference between the peak and trough from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, Northern America's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reached 5.1 million US dollars, showing a 72.7% year-over-year drop. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 18.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 1,706.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and Brazil stood out as the main suppliers of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Northern America, together forming 4.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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