Japan: Mechanical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Mechanical Wood Pulp Market Size in Japan

The Japanese mechanical wood pulp market declined to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -8.9% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a abrupt slump. Mechanical wood pulp consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Production in Japan

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 144%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2018, approx. X tons of mechanical wood pulp were exported from Japan; increasing by 200% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 218% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2018, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp exports soared to $X in 2018. Overall, exports posted a significant expansion. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2018, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X tons) was the main destination for mechanical wood pulp exports from Japan, with a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, mechanical wood pulp exports to Vietnam exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Myanmar (X tons), fourfold.

From 2012 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume to Vietnam amounted to +16.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Myanmar (0.0% per year) and the Netherlands (0.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for mechanical wood pulp exported from Japan were Myanmar ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Vietnam ($X).

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +7.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average mechanical wood pulp export price stood at $X per ton in 2018, picking up by 140% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded significant growth. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2018, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Vietnam (-7.9%).

Mechanical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports into Japan

Mechanical wood pulp imports into Japan fell notably to X tons in 2022, dropping by -90.6% compared with the year before. Overall, imports faced a sharp reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 2.5% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp imports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports faced a precipitous contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest mechanical wood pulp supplier to Japan, with a 89% share of total imports. Moreover, mechanical wood pulp imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Sweden (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany stood at +42.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (-23.4% per year) and Poland (+41.3% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of mechanical wood pulp to Japan, comprising 83% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sweden ($X), with an 8.4% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany stood at +41.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (-21.2% per year) and Poland (+39.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average mechanical wood pulp import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, mechanical wood pulp import price increased by +76.7% against 2020 indices. 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 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($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 (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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