Belgium: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2024

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in Belgium

In 2021, the Belgian sulphite wood pulp market increased by 10% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Sulphite wood pulp consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in Belgium

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 6.8%. Sulphite wood pulp production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports from Belgium

Sulphite wood pulp exports from Belgium soared to X tons in 2021, growing by 57% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a dramatic setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 165% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a precipitous curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for sulphite wood pulp exports from Belgium, with a 39% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphite wood pulp exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by France (X tons), with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Netherlands totaled +3.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-43.6% per year) and France (-33.1% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) exports from Belgium, comprising 37% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the Netherlands amounted to +2.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-37.8% per year) and France (-29.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sulphite wood pulp export price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -15.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 152% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the countries with the highest prices were Austria ($X per ton) and Togo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Brazil ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Austria (+11.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, purchases abroad of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) increased by 75% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 204% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 176%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of sulphite wood pulp imports to Belgium, with a combined 80% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, China and the United States, which together accounted for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +84,577.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sulphite wood pulp suppliers to Belgium were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and France ($X), together comprising 88% of total imports. Poland, the United States and China lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 11%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Poland, with a CAGR of +47,964.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the average sulphite wood pulp import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sulphite wood pulp import price decreased by -3.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 30%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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