MERCOSUR: Mechanical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Mechanical Wood Pulp Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR mechanical wood pulp market declined modestly to $X in 2022, shrinking by -1.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the market value increased by 3.8% against the previous year. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

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, recorded a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 380% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted sharply in the following year.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp exports contracted notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 364%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Brazil dominates exports structure, recording 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. While the share of Brazil (+87 p.p.) and Chile (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Uruguay (-86.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest mechanical wood pulp supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 88% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uruguay ($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 stood at +96.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uruguay (-7.4% per year) and Chile (+63.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 30% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a slight decline. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 MERCOSUR

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of mechanical wood pulp decreased by -22% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 176% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp imports shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 196% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Argentina (X tons) was the main importer of mechanical wood pulp, comprising 68% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by Peru (5.5%). The following importers - Colombia (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and Chile (X tons) - together made up 6.5% of total imports.

Imports into Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +33.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Chile (+46.5%), Ecuador (+26.2%), Brazil (+22.4%) and Peru (+16.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +46.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Colombia (-6.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Argentina and Brazil increased by +44 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported mechanical wood pulp in MERCOSUR, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Peru, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Argentina stood at +35.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (+27.3% per year) and Peru (+18.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, growing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.3%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while Peru ($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