ASEAN: Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market 2025

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market Size in ASEAN

The ASEAN unbleached sulphate pulp market fell to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Production in ASEAN

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp production shrank significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, enjoyed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 3,567% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Exports

Exports in ASEAN

In 2022, approx. X tons of unbleached sulphate pulp were exported in ASEAN; picking up by 106% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports enjoyed a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 485%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 299% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Indonesia was the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which resulted at 81% of total exports. Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons) took a 10% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Vietnam (8%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to unbleached sulphate pulp exports from Indonesia stood at +27.7%. At the same time, Vietnam (+33.1%) and Lao People's Democratic Republic (+6.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in ASEAN, with a CAGR of +33.1% from 2012-2022. Indonesia (+31 p.p.) and Vietnam (+4.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Lao People's Democratic Republic saw its share reduced by -30.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X) remains the largest unbleached sulphate pulp supplier in ASEAN, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

In Indonesia, unbleached sulphate pulp exports increased at an average annual rate of +24.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Vietnam (+48.0% per year) and Lao People's Democratic Republic (-2.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in ASEAN amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -6.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while Indonesia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+11.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Imports

Imports in ASEAN

In 2022, approx. X tons of unbleached sulphate pulp were imported in ASEAN; declining by -9.6% on the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp imports amounted to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 +87.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 88% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Thailand (X tons) was the major importer of unbleached sulphate pulp, achieving 42% of total imports. Indonesia (X tons) held a 21% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Malaysia (17%) and Vietnam (15%). The Philippines (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to unbleached sulphate pulp imports into Thailand stood at +1.2%. At the same time, Vietnam (+13.2%), the Philippines (+11.2%) and Indonesia (+6.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in ASEAN, with a CAGR of +13.2% from 2012-2022. Malaysia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Vietnam (+9.1 p.p.), Indonesia (+4.5 p.p.) and the Philippines (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Malaysia (-5 p.p.) and Thailand (-11.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest unbleached sulphate pulp importing markets in ASEAN were Thailand ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Malaysia ($X), with a combined 83% share of total imports. Vietnam and the Philippines lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

Among the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +15.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in ASEAN stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 33%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the 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 Indonesia ($X per ton), while Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform