Unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the West African market for unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp was characterized by stable domestic production of 14 000 tons annually, while market size fluctuations were primarily dictated by changes in import volumes.

After an initial contraction to 19 496 tons in 2019, the market entered a growth phase, expanding to over 27 400 tons by 2022 as imports rose steadily to meet regional demand.

This trend reversed in 2023, with the market volume falling to 20 205 tons, reflecting a significant reduction in pulp imports compared to the previous year.

Production unbleached kraft or soda pulp in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, 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, Western Africa produced 14 000 tons of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades. This production level remained unchanged from the previous year, showing no growth compared to 2019. Notably, the largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, each at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports unbleached kraft or soda pulp from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the nearly exclusive buyer of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from Western Africa, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with China alone responsible for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unbleached kraft or soda pulp to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Western Africa's imports of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, increased. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 6 352 tons, with the largest decline recorded in 2018 at 33.8%. By 2020, imports surged to 10 723 tons, reflecting a sharp year-on-year rise of 68.8%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports in kind of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Western Africa were Chile (31.9% of imports), Russia (31.3% of imports), and New Zealand (23.1% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 86.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, imports in value terms hit their minimum at 6 010 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline recorded that year at 20.1%. By 2020, foreign supplies of unbleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Western Africa reached 9 582 thousand US dollars, marking a 59.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 30.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 9.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Russia (38.0% of imports in value terms), Chile (30.1% of imports), and New Zealand (20.6% of imports) formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, collectively representing 88.7% of total flows.

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

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