Eastern Europe: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2025

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in Eastern Europe

After two years of growth, the East European sulphite wood pulp market decreased by -2.2% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) were exported in Eastern Europe; increasing by 13% on 2020 figures. In general, exports, however, faced a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. The volume of export 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. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a precipitous setback. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Russia prevails in exports structure, recording X tons, which was approx. 93% of total exports in 2021. The following exporters - Poland (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) - together made up 7.4% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sulphite wood pulp exports from Russia stood at -8.6%. At the same time, Belarus (+72.4%) and Poland (+9.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belarus emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +72.4% from 2012-2021. Russia (+61 p.p.), Poland (+3.7 p.p.) and Belarus (+3.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

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

In Russia, sulphite wood pulp exports declined by an average annual rate of -11.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belarus (+94.3% per year) and Poland (+0.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible reduction. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belarus (+12.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) were imported in Eastern Europe; which is down by -1.8% against the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 32%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 49%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Slovakia dominates imports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 62% of total imports in 2021. Russia (X tons) took a 9% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (9%), the Czech Republic (8.5%) and Romania (4.5%). Belarus (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into Slovakia decreased at an average annual rate of -5.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Belarus (+42.0%), Romania (+19.7%), Russia (+10.2%) and the Czech Republic (+9.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belarus emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +42.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Hungary (-7.4%) and Poland (-7.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Russia (+6.4 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+5.8 p.p.), Romania (+3.9 p.p.) and Belarus (+2.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Poland and Slovakia saw its share reduced by -3.7% and -5.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Slovakia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in Eastern Europe, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Slovakia amounted to -3.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+13.4% per year) and Poland (-4.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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