Europe: Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market Size in Europe

The Europe semi-chemical wood pulp market amounted to $X in 2022, picking up by 3.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the market value increased by 4.3% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Production in Europe

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 16%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Europe

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of semi-chemical wood pulp decreased by -4.2% to X tons in 2022. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume 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 +100.0% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp exports amounted to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% 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 +26.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Finland (X tons), distantly followed by Sweden (X tons), Norway (X tons), Estonia (X tons), Russia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main exporters of semi-chemical wood pulp, together generating 98% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +33.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest semi-chemical wood pulp supplying countries in Europe were Sweden ($X), Finland ($X) and Estonia ($X), together comprising 60% of total exports. Norway, Russia, the Netherlands and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Norway, with a CAGR of +31.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sweden (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2022, semi-chemical wood pulp imports in Europe contracted modestly to X tons, stabilizing at the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% 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 2013 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of semi-chemical wood pulp imports in 2022 were Sweden (X tons), Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together resulting at 78% of total import. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons) and France (X tons), together committing a 13% share of total imports. Spain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Sweden (with a CAGR of +30.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sweden ($X), Germany ($X) and Italy ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 62% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Sweden, with a CAGR of +28.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 15%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform