MERCOSUR: Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market 2024

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR unbleached sulphate pulp market dropped to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp production shrank sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 187%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, overseas shipments of unbleached sulphate pulp increased by 13% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 18%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp exports surged to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +67.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 47%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Chile dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was approx. 97% of total exports in 2022. Brazil (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Chile increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Brazil (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +2.7% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X) remains the largest unbleached sulphate pulp supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 98% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Brazil ($X), with a 1.3% share of total exports.

In Chile, unbleached sulphate pulp exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 6.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 Chile ($X per ton), while Brazil stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+3.4%).

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

For the third year in a row, MERCOSUR recorded decline in purchases abroad of unbleached sulphate pulp, which decreased by -15.5% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp imports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Colombia was the main importer of unbleached sulphate pulp in MERCOSUR, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 49% of total imports in 2022. Peru (X tons) took a 23% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Brazil (12%), Venezuela (7.3%) and Argentina (5.6%). Ecuador (X tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to unbleached sulphate pulp imports into Colombia stood at +5.8%. At the same time, Argentina (+5.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +5.8% from 2012-2022. Peru experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Venezuela (-8.1%), Brazil (-8.5%) and Ecuador (-13.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Colombia (+24 p.p.), Argentina (+2.8 p.p.) and Peru (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Ecuador (-7.2 p.p.), Venezuela (-7.8 p.p.) and Brazil (-14.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Colombia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported unbleached sulphate pulp in MERCOSUR, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Peru ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Colombia amounted to +6.8%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Peru (+0.6% per year) and Brazil (-4.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -5.1% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Brazil ($X per ton), while Venezuela ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform