Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Southern Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Southern European market for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp showed relative stability, with market volume hovering between 323 thousand tonnes and 335 thousand tonnes. This period ended with a sharp contraction in 2022, when the market size dropped to 265.5 thousand tonnes, and further declined to 204.1 thousand tonnes in 2023. Domestic production mirrored this downturn, falling from 304.9 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 193 thousand tonnes in 2023.

The year 2024 brought several industry developments. The EU Deforestation Regulation, effective from December 2024, introduced strict due diligence requirements for wood inputs, promoting the use of recycled fiber and affecting supply chain compliance. Product innovations included Sappi's launch of a light-weight unbleached kraft paper variant and Roca Oeste's introduction of a coated kraft grade with improved grease resistance, both responding to the growing demand for sustainable packaging materials. Additionally, reported fluctuations in wood pulp and recycled paper availability influenced production costs and supply conditions.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Southern Europe

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 Southern Europe, production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) remained stable in 2020 at 294.0 K t, showing little change from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 304.9 K t, representing a 5.2% increase from the prior year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 3.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp production (excluding dissolving grades) in Southern Europe reached 162.3 M $ US in 2020, marking a 12.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, rising by 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Southern Europe displayed notable volatility during the observed period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, while exports peaked in 2019 at 3 990 t. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 666 t, reflecting a 33.2% decline from the previous year. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, surging by 48 288.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Austria and Bulgaria dominated the export partner structure in volume terms, with other countries collectively accounting for the remaining share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) from Southern Europe experienced significant fluctuations. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 2 535 K $ US, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 12 466 times. In 2020, exports totaled 1 472 K $ US, down 41.9% from 2019. The largest increase was in 2018, rising by 43 417.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria and Bulgaria accounted for 82.6% of total export value, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) into Southern Europe grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching a total volume and increasing by 26.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 55.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria (32.8% of import volume), Sweden (28.7%), and Russia (11.9%) were the primary suppliers of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) to Southern Europe, together constituting 73.5% of total imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After increasing for two years, the value of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp imports (excluding dissolving grades) into Southern Europe declined slightly in 2020 to approximately 20 469 K $ US, down 3.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 27.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 292 K $ US, following the largest increase of 27.0% in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for imports in value terms were Austria, Sweden, and the United States, which together accounted for 69.1% of total import flows.

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

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