Eastern Europe: Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market 2024

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European semi-chemical wood pulp market reduced to $X in 2022, dropping by -5.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a noticeable curtailment. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, exports of semi-chemical wood pulp in Eastern Europe fell modestly to X tons, standing approx. at the year before. Total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -6.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 79%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp exports stood at $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +34.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 79%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Estonia (X tons) and Russia (X tons) represented roughly 99% of total exports in 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Estonia (with a CAGR of +4.9%).

In value terms, the largest semi-chemical wood pulp supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Estonia ($X) and Russia ($X).

Estonia, with a CAGR of +6.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 7.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 23%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Estonia ($X per ton), while Russia stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+1.5%).

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, purchases abroad of semi-chemical wood pulp decreased by -12% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 2015 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp imports contracted to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 +34.7% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X tons) represented the key importer of semi-chemical wood pulp, comprising 75% of total imports. Hungary (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Slovakia (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 23% share of total imports.

Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of semi-chemical wood pulp. At the same time, Slovakia (+87.0%) and Hungary (+61.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +87.0% from 2012-2022. While the share of Hungary (+11 p.p.) and Slovakia (+11 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Poland (-6.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported semi-chemical wood pulp in Eastern Europe, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hungary ($X), with a 17% share of total imports.

In Poland, semi-chemical wood pulp imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Hungary (+51.6% per year) and Slovakia (+78.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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