Global Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market Size

The global semi-chemical wood pulp market amounted to $X in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Production

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of semi-chemical wood pulp, when their volume decreased by -1.8% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 4.7%. The global exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp exports soared to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Canada (X tons) was the major exporter of semi-chemical wood pulp, constituting 51% of total exports. Finland (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by New Zealand (8%), Sweden (6.6%), Norway (5.9%) and Estonia (5.1%). Russia (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Canada decreased at an average annual rate of -1.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Norway (+33.8%), Finland (+6.2%), Estonia (+4.9%) and New Zealand (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Norway emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +33.8% from 2012-2022. Sweden experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Russia (-1.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Norway (+5.5 p.p.), Estonia (+5.1 p.p.), Finland (+4.4 p.p.) and New Zealand (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Canada (-10.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the largest semi-chemical wood pulp supplier worldwide, comprising 56% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sweden ($X), with a 7.3% share of global exports. It was followed by Finland, with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Canada was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Sweden (+3.3% per year) and Finland (+2.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average semi-chemical wood pulp export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The global export price 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 Sweden ($X per ton), while Finland ($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 global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports

In 2022, overseas purchases of semi-chemical wood pulp decreased by -2.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

China was the main importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 34% of total imports. It was distantly followed by India (X tons), Egypt (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons), together achieving a 42% share of total imports. Germany (X tons), the United States (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Poland (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of semi-chemical wood pulp. At the same time, Sweden (+30.2%), Indonesia (+15.6%), India (+15.4%), the Netherlands (+12.9%), Egypt (+6.5%), Germany (+6.4%) and Italy (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Sweden emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.2% from 2012-2022. Poland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Korea (-2.7%) and the United States (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of India, Sweden, Indonesia, Egypt and the Netherlands increased by +9.2, +5.7, +3.9, +3.7 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported semi-chemical wood pulp worldwide, comprising 32% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 16% share of global imports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 10% share.

In China, semi-chemical wood pulp imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+18.7% per year) and Egypt (+6.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average semi-chemical wood pulp import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 19% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a mild increase. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+2.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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