U.S.: Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market 2025

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. unbleached sulphate pulp market reduced to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -1.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Production in the U.S.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp production dropped to $X in 2022. In general, the total production indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +2.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 54% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, overseas shipments of unbleached sulphate pulp decreased by -28.8% 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 relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 65%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then plummeted in the following year.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp exports dropped rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate moderate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 51%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for unbleached sulphate pulp exports from the United States, with a 51% share of total exports. Moreover, unbleached sulphate pulp exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (X tons), threefold. Canada (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled +4.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (-4.8% per year) and Canada (+28.7% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for unbleached sulphate pulp exports from the United States, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Canada, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China stood at +7.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (-1.1% per year) and Canada (+26.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average unbleached sulphate pulp export price amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. In general, export price indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, unbleached sulphate pulp export price increased by +34.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 50%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Switzerland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+9.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, unbleached sulphate pulp imports into the United States expanded markedly to X tons, increasing by 14% compared with 2021 figures. In general, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +33.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 38%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp imports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +53.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 46%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Canada (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of unbleached sulphate pulp to the United States, accounting for a 74% share of total imports. Moreover, unbleached sulphate pulp imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Chile (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Canada totaled +7.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (+4.0% per year) and Sweden (-2.1% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) constituted the largest supplier of unbleached sulphate pulp to the United States, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Chile ($X), with a 29% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Canada stood at +6.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Chile (+6.8% per year) and Sweden (-1.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average unbleached sulphate pulp import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -8.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 29% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the price for Canada ($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 (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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