MERCOSUR: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2024

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR sulphite wood pulp market expanded modestly to $X in 2021, picking up by 3.2% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production rose modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, shipments abroad of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) increased by 3.5% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports posted prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 332% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports reached $X in 2021. Overall, exports enjoyed a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 296%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Chile (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) represented the major exporters of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in 2021, reaching approx. 44% and 38% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons), comprising an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Chile (with a CAGR of +22.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Argentina ($X) and Uruguay ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 99% of total exports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +24.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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 2021, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, growing by 6.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+1.8%).

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2021, purchases abroad of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) increased by 84% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable slump. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) was the key importer of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades), creating 69% of total imports. Argentina (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Peru (6.6%) and Chile (5.4%). Colombia (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +10.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Peru (+17.1%), Colombia (+12.8%) and Ecuador (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +17.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Argentina (-5.8%) and Chile (-31.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+57 p.p.), Peru (+5.9 p.p.), Colombia (+3 p.p.), Argentina (+2.7 p.p.) and Ecuador (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Chile saw its share reduced by -69.5% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in MERCOSUR, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Chile, with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil amounted to +9.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (-5.4% per year) and Chile (-22.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -12.3% against the previous year. Import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sulphite wood pulp import price decreased by -12.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 40%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Colombia ($X per ton), while Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+13.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform