Latin America and the Caribbean: Mechanical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Mechanical Wood Pulp Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American mechanical wood pulp market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 5.1%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 23% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, shipments abroad of mechanical wood pulp decreased by -40.8% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 376% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp exports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 361% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

Brazil prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 88% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons), achieving a 9.7% share of total exports. Chile (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Brazil was also the fastest-growing in terms of the mechanical wood pulp exports, with a CAGR of +92.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Chile (+43.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Uruguay (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Brazil and Chile increased by +87 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest mechanical wood pulp supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uruguay ($X), with a 7.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil amounted to +96.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Uruguay (-7.4% per year) and Chile (+63.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 30% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a slight downturn. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+14.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of mechanical wood pulp, when their volume decreased by -23.7% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 156%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined notably in the following year.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 160%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

Argentina was the major importer of mechanical wood pulp in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 66% of total imports in 2022. Brazil (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Peru (5.3%). Colombia (X tons), Bolivia (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and Chile (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +33.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bolivia (+331.1%), Chile (+46.5%), Ecuador (+26.2%), Brazil (+22.4%) and Peru (+16.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bolivia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +331.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Colombia (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia increased by +43, +2.8 and +2.3 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported mechanical wood pulp in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 3.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Argentina totaled +35.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+27.3% per year) and Peru (+18.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Chile ($X per ton), while Bolivia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :