Africa: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2025

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in Africa

The African sulphite wood pulp market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after three years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in Africa

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) were exported in Africa; declining by -37.7% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 876% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 806%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tunisia dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 91% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), generating a 7.6% share of total exports.

Tunisia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) exports, with a CAGR of -7.6% from 2012 to 2021. South Africa (-21.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tunisia (+30 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -15.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X) remains the largest sulphite wood pulp supplier in Africa, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

In Tunisia, sulphite wood pulp exports contracted by an average annual rate of -6.3% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate modest growth. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Tunisia amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+7.3%).

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) decreased by -4.2% to X tons, falling for the fifth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, imports saw a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Tunisia (X tons) represented the largest importer of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades), mixing up 64% of total imports. South Africa (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by Ethiopia (6.5%). Morocco (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sulphite wood pulp imports into Tunisia stood at -8.7%. At the same time, Morocco (+12.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +12.6% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Egypt (-4.0%), Ethiopia (-7.1%), Nigeria (-12.5%), Algeria (-16.4%) and South Africa (-21.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Tunisia, Morocco and Ethiopia increased by +19, +2.6 and +2.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tunisia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in Africa, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Tunisia stood at -7.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (-17.2% per year) and Morocco (+21.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sulphite wood pulp import price increased by +80.0% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Ethiopia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+11.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :