Unbleached Sulphite Pulp Market

The global market for unbleached sulphite pulp is on an upward trend, with consumption and value expected to increase over the next eight years. Russia is the largest consumer and producer of unbleached sulphite pulp, with growth rates outpacing other major consuming countries. Import and export prices and volumes have fluctuated over the years, with noticeable changes in trends.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for unbleached sulphite pulp worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $888M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Unbleached Sulphite Pulp

For the sixth consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in consumption of unbleached sulphite pulp, which increased by 0.6% to 829K tons in 2022. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

The global unbleached sulphite pulp market value dropped to $640M in 2022, waning by -5.8% 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). In general, consumption, however, saw a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $808M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Russia (450K tons) remains the largest unbleached sulphite pulp consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 54% of total volume. Moreover, unbleached sulphite pulp consumption in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (184K tons), twofold. Democratic People's Republic of Korea (43K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.2% share.

In Russia, unbleached sulphite pulp consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.0% per year) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (0.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest unbleached sulphite pulp markets worldwide were Russia ($228M), Belgium ($182M) and the United States ($60M), with a combined 73% share of the global market. Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Swaziland, Canada and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 5.1%.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +9.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of unbleached sulphite pulp per capita consumption was registered in Swaziland (12 kg per person), followed by Belgium (3.4 kg per person), Russia (3.1 kg per person) and Sweden (1.5 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of unbleached sulphite pulp was estimated at 0.1 kg per person.

In Swaziland, unbleached sulphite pulp per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Belgium (-1.4% per year) and Russia (+5.0% per year).

Production

World Production of Unbleached Sulphite Pulp

After five years of growth, production of unbleached sulphite pulp decreased by -3.3% to 826K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 19%. Global production peaked at 853K tons in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, unbleached sulphite pulp production fell to $623M in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 25%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $692M, and then reduced in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of unbleached sulphite pulp production was Russia (463K tons), comprising approx. 56% of total volume. Moreover, unbleached sulphite pulp production in Russia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (195K tons), twofold. Democratic People's Republic of Korea (43K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.2% share.

In Russia, unbleached sulphite pulp production expanded at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+1.4% per year) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (0.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Unbleached Sulphite Pulp

In 2022, approx. 46K tons of unbleached sulphite pulp were imported worldwide; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, imports showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 47%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 69K tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unbleached sulphite pulp imports skyrocketed to $25M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 33%. Global imports peaked at $37M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Sweden (16K tons) and China (14K tons) represented the largest importers of unbleached sulphite pulpin the world, together accounting for approx. 65% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Slovakia (5.1K tons), creating an 11% share of total imports. Peru (1.5K tons), Bangladesh (1.1K tons), Hong Kong SAR (1.1K tons), the United States (1K tons), Pakistan (0.9K tons) and Ethiopia (0.8K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Slovakia (with a CAGR of +24.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Slovakia ($8.5M), China ($8.3M) and Pakistan ($774K) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 69% share of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, Slovakia, with a CAGR of +28.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average unbleached sulphite pulp import price amounted to $556 per ton, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 84% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $721 per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($1,675 per ton), while Sweden ($36 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Unbleached Sulphite Pulp

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of unbleached sulphite pulp decreased by -44.3% to 42K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 75K tons in 2021, and then fell markedly in the following year.

In value terms, unbleached sulphite pulp exports declined significantly to $12M in 2022. In general, exports saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 135%. The global exports peaked at $29M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of unbleached sulphite pulp, namely Norway, Russia and the United States, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +19.9%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Russia ($7.4M), the United States ($3.8M) and Norway ($60K) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 93% share of global exports.

Among the main exporting countries, the United States, with a CAGR of -6.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average unbleached sulphite pulp export price amounted to $291 per ton, with a decrease of -22.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $487 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Russia ($590 per ton), while Norway ($3.7 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+1.1%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform