Eastern Asia: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2025

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian sulphite wood pulp market totaled $X in 2021, increasing by 5.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production rose significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 18%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) increased by 45% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, recorded a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 148% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 112% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China was the largest exporter of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in Eastern Asia, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 82% of total exports in 2021. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by Japan (5.4%).

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) exports, with a CAGR of +22.4% from 2012 to 2021. Japan (-9.3%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-20.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+77 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Taiwan (Chinese) (-27.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest sulphite wood pulp supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 79% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +26.0%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-18.6% per year) and Japan (-14.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 4.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 10% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

Sulphite wood pulp imports amounted to X tons in 2021, increasing by 3.7% on 2020. In general, imports, however, saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 37% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced reduction. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) was the key importer of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 65% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by China (X tons) and Japan (X tons), together comprising a 34% share of total imports.

Taiwan (Chinese) experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades). Japan (-6.9%) and China (-9.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Taiwan (Chinese) (+21 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while China saw its share reduced by -14.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), China ($X) and Japan ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 97% of total imports.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of -1.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 19% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the import price increased by 22%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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