Eastern Europe: Market for Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp 2025

Market Size for Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the East European market for wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp increased by 7.1% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp in Eastern Europe

In value terms, production of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 41% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp decreased by -1.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports of failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp dropped slightly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Russia dominates pulp structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 66% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), Estonia (X tons), Poland (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and Belarus (X tons), together committing a 31% share of total exports. Bulgaria (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Russia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp. At the same time, Belarus (+127.5%), Estonia (+53.4%) and Poland (+25.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belarus emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +127.5% from 2012-2022. Bulgaria and the Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Slovakia (-2.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Estonia (+6.2 p.p.), Belarus (+4.6 p.p.) and Poland (+4.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of the Czech Republic (-2.3 p.p.), Slovakia (-2.6 p.p.) and Russia (-8.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the largest wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Russia was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+3.0% per year) and Poland (+33.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 41% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Poland ($X per ton), while Russia ($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 (+6.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the third year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in purchases abroad of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp, which increased by 1.7% to X tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 12%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, imports of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp soared to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% 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 +60.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 36%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X tons) represented the largest importer of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp, creating 52% of total imports. The Czech Republic (X tons) took a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Russia (10%), Slovakia (7.1%), Romania (6.1%) and Hungary (5.6%). The following importers - Estonia (X tons) and Ukraine (X tons) - each resulted at a 3.5% share of total imports.

Imports into Poland increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Estonia (+14.1%), Russia (+8.3%), the Czech Republic (+6.5%), Romania (+6.4%), Hungary (+3.9%) and Slovakia (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Estonia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +14.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Ukraine (-6.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Poland (+6.5 p.p.), Russia (+2.9 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Slovakia (-2.8 p.p.) and Ukraine (-3.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp in Eastern Europe, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Czech Republic ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Russia, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland amounted to +8.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Czech Republic (+8.9% per year) and Russia (+6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 16% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 28% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Ukraine ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) and Estonia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Estonia (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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