France: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2025

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in France

For the fourth consecutive year, the French sulphite wood pulp market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -3.5% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption saw a deep downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in France

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 91%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports from France

In 2021, overseas shipments of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) decreased by -65% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 982%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, posted a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 446%. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for sulphite wood pulp exports from France, accounting for a 43% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphite wood pulp exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Tunisia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Portugal (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany stood at +40.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tunisia (+16.2% per year) and Portugal (+6.0% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) exports from France, comprising 32% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Portugal ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany amounted to +31.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Portugal (+10.4% per year) and Tunisia (+15.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average sulphite wood pulp export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports into France

In 2021, supplies from abroad of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) decreased by -53.1% to X tons, falling for the seventh year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, imports saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 19%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports declined remarkably to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest sulphite wood pulp supplier to France, with a 52% share of total imports. Moreover, sulphite wood pulp imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Sweden (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Austria (X tons), with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany stood at -13.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (+0.3% per year) and Austria (+38.3% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) to France, comprising 74% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sweden ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Austria, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany stood at -5.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (+3.0% per year) and Austria (+37.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average sulphite wood pulp import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+8.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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