Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the unbleached kraft pulp market in Sub-Saharan Africa declined from 353 thousand tons in 2018 to 259.7 thousand tons in 2023. This contraction began as major producers like Sappi shifted mill capacity and investments away from traditional pulp grades towards packaging, specialty papers, and dissolving wood pulp, reducing output of unbleached kraft pulp. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further constrained the market by creating uncertainty and causing critical shortages of waste paper grades, a key input, which dampened production and consumption.

New regulatory pressure emerged in 2021 with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, requiring producers to manage waste and comply with registration, which affected operational costs and planning. A temporary production increase in 2022 to 250 thousand tons was supported by ongoing capacity expansion investments in the packaging segment. However, by 2023, global supply chain disruptions, including tightened hardwood pulpwood supply linked to the war in Ukraine, combined with seasonal demand slowdowns in key export markets like China, exerted renewed downward pressure on the market.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Production of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 256.0 K t, marking a slight decrease of 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020, after hitting their maximum in 2019—a dramatic swing of 98 113 times. In 2020, exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 0.0 t, which is 100.0% lower than the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 936 t, with the largest increase that year at 39 729.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading destination for exports in kind, accounting for 83.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The span from 2019 to 2020 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 21 288 times. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 0.0 K $ US of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, representing a reduction of 100.0% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 146 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 7 270.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was centered on China, whose share reached 58.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, amounted to 15 489 t, reflecting a robust reduction of 12.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 12 008 t, with the largest decline that year at 33.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 46.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (26.8% of imports in kind), Russia (25.5% of imports in kind), and Chile (15.7% of imports in kind) were the key partners for imports in kind, together accounting for 68.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported a total of 12 601 K $ US of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, corresponding to a substantial decrease of 21.3% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 11.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 254 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 16 009 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 42.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017 to 2020, Russia (32.0% of imports in value terms), New Zealand (25.8% of imports in value terms), and Chile (18.0% of imports in value terms) were the main suppliers of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Sub-Saharan Africa, together comprising 75.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020