Bleached Sulphate Pulp Market

The global bleached sulphate pulp market is expected to see a steady increase in consumption and value over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.9% and +3.4%, respectively. China leads in both consumption and imports, while Brazil dominates in exports. Wood pulp of non-coniferous wood is the primary exported product. Average export prices surged by 9.8% in 2022, varying by country of origin.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for bleached sulphate pulp worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 136M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $107.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Bleached Sulphate Pulp

For the fifth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in consumption of bleached sulphate pulp, which increased by 2.2% to 117M tons in 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the consumption volume increased by 5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

The global bleached sulphate pulp market revenue expanded remarkably to $82.4B in 2022, rising by 6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of bleached sulphate pulp consumption was China (37M tons), comprising approx. 32% of total volume. Moreover, bleached sulphate pulp consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (19M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (7.3M tons), with a 6.2% share.

In China, bleached sulphate pulp consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (-1.7% per year) and Japan (-1.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($27.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($13.3B). It was followed by Uruguay.

In China, the bleached sulphate pulp market expanded at an average annual rate of +9.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (-1.1% per year) and Uruguay (+8.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of bleached sulphate pulp per capita consumption in 2022 were Uruguay (777 kg per person), Finland (697 kg per person) and Sweden (342 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Uruguay (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Bleached Sulphate Pulp

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in production of bleached sulphate pulp, which increased by 3.5% to 118M tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 5.8%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, bleached sulphate pulp production declined to $65.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 41%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $84.8B. From 2019 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Brazil (22M tons), the United States (20M tons) and China (17M tons), with a combined 50% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +14.6%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Bleached Sulphate Pulp

Global bleached sulphate pulp imports amounted to 55M tons in 2022, increasing by 2% against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 7.1% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 57M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, bleached sulphate pulp imports skyrocketed to $43.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +49.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

China was the main importer of bleached sulphate pulp in the world, with the volume of imports recording 20M tons, which was approx. 36% of total imports in 2022. The United States (5.6M tons) held a 10% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (6.4%), Italy (6%) and the Netherlands (4.8%). The following importers - France (1.6M tons), Turkey (1.5M tons), South Korea (1.5M tons), Japan (1.4M tons), Poland (1.2M tons), Spain (1.1M tons) and India (0.9M tons) - together made up 17% of total imports.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+6.8%), Turkey (+6.6%), the Netherlands (+6.6%), India (+3.7%), the United States (+3.1%) and Spain (+2.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +6.8% from 2012-2022. Italy and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.0%), Germany (-1.4%) and South Korea (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and the Netherlands increased by +6.9 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($15.5B) constitutes the largest market for imported bleached sulphate pulp worldwide, comprising 35% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($4.1B), with a 9.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.5% share.

In China, bleached sulphate pulp imports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.6% per year) and Germany (+0.6% per year).

Imports By Type

In 2022, wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood (33M tons) represented the main type of bleached sulphate pulp, creating 61% of total imports. It was distantly followed by wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood (22M tons), creating a 39% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main imported products, was attained by wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood (with a CAGR of +4.1%).

In value terms, the largest types of imported bleached sulphate pulp were wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood ($24.2B) and wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood ($19.6B).

Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood, with a CAGR of +6.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main imported products over the period under review.

Import Prices By Type

The average bleached sulphate pulp import price stood at $797 per ton in 2022, surging by 19% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood ($905 per ton), while the price for wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood amounted to $727 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood (+2.7%).

Import Prices By Country

The average bleached sulphate pulp import price stood at $797 per ton in 2022, surging by 19% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 30%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($937 per ton), while South Korea ($618 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Bleached Sulphate Pulp

In 2022, global exports of bleached sulphate pulp expanded slightly to 55M tons, rising by 4.8% on 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, bleached sulphate pulp exports skyrocketed to $36.5B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Brazil (19M tons) represented the largest exporter of bleached sulphate pulp, generating 35% of total exports. The United States (6.5M tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Canada (5.2M tons), Indonesia (4.5M tons), Finland (3.4M tons), Chile (3.3M tons), Sweden (3M tons) and the Netherlands (2.7M tons). All these countries together took approx. 52% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to bleached sulphate pulp exports from Brazil stood at +8.4%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+11.6%), Finland (+5.0%), Indonesia (+1.7%) and Sweden (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.6% from 2012-2022. The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Chile (-1.6%) and Canada (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+15 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+2.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Chile, the United States and Canada saw its share reduced by -3.1%, -3.3% and -6.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest bleached sulphate pulp supplying countries worldwide were Brazil ($7.9B), the United States ($5.9B) and Canada ($4.3B), together comprising 50% of global exports. Indonesia, Finland, Sweden, Chile and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +12.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood represented the largest exported product with an export of about 33M tons, which reached 60% of total exports. It was distantly followed by wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood (22M tons), making up a 40% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exported products, was attained by wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood (with a CAGR of +4.5%).

In value terms, the largest types of exported bleached sulphate pulp were wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood ($19.4B) and wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood ($17.1B).

Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood, with a CAGR of +3.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exported products over the period under review.

Export Prices By Type

The average bleached sulphate pulp export price stood at $659 per ton in 2022, rising by 9.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $690 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood ($878 per ton), while the average price for exports of wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of non-coniferous wood stood at $514 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood (+2.8%).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average bleached sulphate pulp export price amounted to $659 per ton, with an increase of 9.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 25% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $690 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($895 per ton), while Brazil ($413 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform