Belgium: Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market 2025

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian unbleached sulphate pulp market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, increasing by 91% 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). Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a strong expansion. Unbleached sulphate pulp consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, overseas shipments of unbleached sulphate pulp decreased by -99.6% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports recorded a dramatic descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 5,096%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then declined markedly in the following year.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp exports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports faced a sharp decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 5,071%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then fell notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of unbleached sulphate pulp exports from Belgium, together accounting for 82% of total exports. Spain, the UK and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Italy (with a CAGR of -14.5%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, France ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for unbleached sulphate pulp exports from Belgium, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to France stood at -28.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (-25.4% per year) and Germany (-31.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average unbleached sulphate pulp export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 148% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a remarkable increase. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+11.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of unbleached sulphate pulp, when their volume decreased by -81.5% to X tons. In general, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 247%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 231% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, New Zealand (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of unbleached sulphate pulp to Belgium, accounting for a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, unbleached sulphate pulp imports from New Zealand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Finland (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Russia (X tons), with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from New Zealand totaled +2.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Finland (+102.0% per year) and Russia (-17.5% per year).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) constituted the largest supplier of unbleached sulphate pulp to Belgium, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Finland, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from New Zealand stood at +4.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (-16.8% per year) and Finland (+96.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average unbleached sulphate pulp import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 33% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Finland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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