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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp in Vietnam showed significant volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023, ranging from a low of 71 231 t to a peak of over 101 673 t. Domestic production remained steady at 40 000 t annually throughout this period, meaning all market fluctuations were driven by changes in import volumes. The peak in 2021, when market size jumped by 36% to 101 673 t, was followed by a contraction in 2022.

The broader context for these import swings is provided by the sustained expansion of Vietnam's paper industry, which historically grew at 5.4% annually for production and 4.6% for consumption, creating consistent underlying demand for pulp. By 2024, the regulatory landscape evolved with the introduction of Decision No. 13/2023/QD-TTg, which clarified import rules for unbleached kraft waste paper (HS code 4707 10 00) as a production raw material, subject to new national technical standards. Concurrently, industry discussions focused on circular economy models and the wider adoption of Elemental Chlorine-Free (ECF) bleaching technology.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam ranked as the 23rd largest global producer of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades.

Top producers of unbleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of unbleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

In 2020, Vietnam produced 40 000 tonnes of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, showing minimal change from the previous year. The largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, each at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Vietnam

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Vietnam's cross-border shipments of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, reached 4 178 tonnes, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1 137.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 131.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Vietnam's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, consistently making up 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Vietnam's exports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, totaled 2 613 thousand US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 1 394.6%, with a CAGR of 146.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, China led the partner structure in export value terms, consistently accounting for 99.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Vietnam

Imports in kind, t

Vietnam's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, showed noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 38 924 tonnes, marking a solid increase of 24.6% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 47 971 tonnes, resulting in a 2.6-fold difference between these years. The largest decline was in 2019 at 34.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 159.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Vietnam's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, were the United States (46.8% of imports), Russia (27.2%), and New Zealand (12.2%), together accounting for 86.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Vietnam's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, in value terms exhibited irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2020, imports amounted to 22 943 thousand US dollars, reflecting a small reduction of 2.2% from the prior year. The lowest value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2018 at 37 384 thousand US dollars, with a 3.1-fold variation between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 37.3%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 214.2%.

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

Over 2017-2020, the United States (46.7% of import value), Russia (26.2%), and New Zealand (12.9%) were the main markets for Vietnam's imports in value terms, collectively representing 85.8% of total flows.

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

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