Western Africa: Sulphite Wood Pulp Market 2025

Sulphite Wood Pulp Market Size in Western Africa

The West African sulphite wood pulp market reduced to $X in 2021, which is down by -7.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Production in Western Africa

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Sulphite Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) decreased by 0% to X kg, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports showed resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 6,488%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp exports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed temperate growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 4,031% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -47.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the export price increased by 328%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Burkina Faso (+7.6%).

Sulphite Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 316% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sulphite wood pulp imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 331% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nigeria was the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 41% of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 17% share, followed by Senegal (17%), Guinea (8.4%), Mali (6.9%) and Burkina Faso (4.7%).

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sulphite wood pulp imports into Nigeria stood at -12.5%. At the same time, Mali (+61.0%), Guinea (+40.6%) and Burkina Faso (+29.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +61.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Senegal (-3.8%) and Cote d'Ivoire (-13.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Guinea, Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso increased by +8.2, +6.9, +6.4 and +4.5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Senegal ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chemical wood pulp (sulphite, other than dissolving grades) in Western Africa, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nigeria ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Guinea, with a 16% share.

In Senegal, sulphite wood pulp imports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Nigeria (-15.4% per year) and Guinea (+40.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 19% against the previous year. Import price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, sulphite wood pulp import price increased by +104.6% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 33%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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