South-Eastern Asia: Market for Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp 2025

Market Size for Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp in South-Eastern Asia

In 2022, the Southeast Asian market for wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp increased by 2% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced slump. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp in South-Eastern Asia

In value terms, production of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, production of hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp

Exports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2022, overseas shipments of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp decreased by -4.5% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after five years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 +28.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 29%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Indonesia dominates pulp structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 83% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (X tons), constituting a 6.4% share of total exports. Singapore (X tons), Lao People's Democratic Republic (X tons) and Thailand (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp exports from Indonesia stood at +4.6%. At the same time, Malaysia (+23.5%), Singapore (+12.2%) and Thailand (+12.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in South-Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +23.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Lao People's Democratic Republic (-12.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore increased by +8.6, +5.3 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X) remains the largest wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp supplier in South-Eastern Asia, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Singapore ($X), with a 6.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Lao People's Democratic Republic, with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Indonesia stood at +7.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Singapore (+17.1% per year) and Lao People's Democratic Republic (-14.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 20%. 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.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Wood Pulp, Excluding Mechanical Wood Pulp

Imports in South-Eastern Asia

For the fourth consecutive year, South-Eastern Asia recorded decline in overseas purchases of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp, which decreased by -4.2% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp rose notably to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Indonesia (X tons) represented the major importer of wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp, committing 45% of total imports. Thailand (X tons) took a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Vietnam (14%), Malaysia (6.4%) and Singapore (6.3%). The Philippines (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +10.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wood pulp, excluding mechanical wood pulp importing markets in South-Eastern Asia were Indonesia ($X), Thailand ($X) and Vietnam ($X), with a combined 86% share of total imports. Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.

In terms of the main importing countries, the Philippines, with a CAGR of +13.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in South-Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 33%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Philippines (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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