Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp in Southern Asia fluctuated between 240 thousand tons in 2018 and 234 thousand tons in 2023, while domestic production remained steady at 222 thousand tons. Changes in import volumes drove most of the market movements during this period.

In 2021, the market contracted to 240 thousand tons as global supply chain disruptions and sharp increases in raw material prices, including wood pulp and chemicals, raised costs for paper mills in India, leading to a significant reduction in imports.

The market peaked in 2022 before declining again in 2023, a period characterized by ongoing price volatility in pulp due to external global factors and persistent concerns over fiber supply security. During this time, India's reduction of the GST rate on wood pulp from 12% to 5% lowered input costs for the industry, and the 2024 introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility rules established a framework for sustainable packaging waste management.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Southern 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 2020, Southern Asia produced 222.3 thousand tons of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. Production levels remained stable compared to the previous year. 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 Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Southern Asia

Market data indicates that from 2017 to 2020, there were no exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Southern Asia.

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Southern Asia's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 26 704 tons, marking a significant rise of 22.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 028 tons, with the largest decline of 36.0% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates were the key partners for Southern Asia's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. Sweden accounted for 21.7% of imports in kind, the United States for 20.2%, and the United Arab Emirates for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 57.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 16 945 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 2.0% rise from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 932 thousand US dollars, when the largest decline of 18.6% occurred. The largest increase was in 2019, at 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary partners for Southern Asia's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms. The United States contributed 20.1% of import value, Sweden 19.1%, and the United Arab Emirates 16.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.2% of total import flows.

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

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