Which Country Imports the Most Sulphite Chemical Wood Pulp in the World?

Pulp, Paper and Paperboard May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Wood and Paper Products / Pulp, Paper and Paperboard

Author: Sergey Avramenko

PositionHead of Global Markets Research Team

In 2016, approx. 811K tonnes of sulphite wood pulp were imported worldwide; going down by -1.8% against the previous year figure. Overall, sulphite wood pulp imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010, an increase of -0.3% y-o-y. Global sulphite wood pulp import peaked of 1.3M tonnes in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports amounted to $474M in 2016. In general, sulphite wood pulp imports continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, global sulphite wood pulp imports reached its maximum level of $968M in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Sulphite Wood Pulp Importing Countries in the World

1. USA (103.2 million USD)

2. Germany (82.3 million USD)

3. Jordan (31.1 million USD)

4. South Africa (28.9 million USD)

5. France (27.1 million USD)

6. Indonesia (25.3 million USD)

7. China (15.9 million USD)

8. Austria (14.6 million USD)

9. Italy (14.4 million USD)

10. Canada (5.7 million USD)

11. New Zealand (0.2 million USD)

12. Chile (0.0 million USD)

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports By Country

In 2016, the U.S. (226K tonnes) represented the largest importer for sulphite wood pulp, generating 28% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Germany (81K tonnes), Jordan (55K tonnes), South Africa (51K tonnes), New Zealand (41K tonnes), France (38K tonnes), and Indonesia (37K tonnes), together creating 37% share of total sulphite wood pulp imports. The following importers - China (27K tonnes), Canada (26K tonnes), Chile (25K tonnes), Austria (19K tonnes), and Italy (18K tonnes) together made up 14% of total imports.

Imports into the U.S. increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, Jordan (+14.8%), New Zealand (+10.6%), Chile (+4.0%), Indonesia (+2.7%), and Canada (+2.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Jordan emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +14.8% from 2007-2016. France, and South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Austria (-1.6%), China (-5.3%), Germany (-9.0%), and Italy (-18.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (13%), Italy (12%), and China (2%) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while the U.S., New Zealand, and Jordan saw its share reduced by -2.5%, -3.0%, and -4.8% from 2007 to 2016, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest sulphite wood pulp markets worldwide were the U.S. ($103M), Germany ($82M) and Jordan ($31M), with a combined 46% share of global imports.

Jordan (+11.4% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of sulphite wood pulp imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 year period, while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Import Prices By Country

In 2016, the average import price for sulphite wood pulp amounted to $585 per tonne, growing by 5% against the previous year. Overall, sulphite wood pulp import price continues to indicate a moderate reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010, when import price increased by 30% from the previous year level. Global sulphite wood pulp import peaked of $821 per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was Germany ($1,020 per tonne), while Chile ($0 per kg) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of sulphite wood pulp import prices was attained by Germany (+3.2% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global sulphite wood pulp market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on