Netherlands: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2025

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in the Netherlands

In 2021, the Dutch sulphite wood pulp market increased by 7.3% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Sulphite wood pulp consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -4.7% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 57% against the previous year. Sulphite wood pulp production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades), when their volume decreased by -57.9% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a sharp setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 227%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports fell remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a significant curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 192%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X tons) was the main destination for sulphite wood pulp exports from the Netherlands, accounting for a 77% share of total exports. Moreover, sulphite wood pulp exports to Belgium exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Romania (X tons), with a 4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Belgium stood at -12.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-35.0% per year) and Romania (+53.0% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) remains the key foreign market for chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) exports from the Netherlands, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 8.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Romania, with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Belgium amounted to -16.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-30.9% per year) and Romania (+63.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sulphite wood pulp export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -6.2% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 57%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Romania (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, overseas purchases of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) increased by 32% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 155% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 114% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) was the main supplier of sulphite wood pulp to the Netherlands, with a 96% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium (X tons), with a 2.9% share of total imports. Portugal (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with less than 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany totaled +5.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-4.7% per year) and Portugal (-62.8% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) to the Netherlands, comprising 94% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 3.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Portugal, with less than 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany amounted to -1.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-7.3% per year) and Portugal (-61.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average sulphite wood pulp import price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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