Western Africa: Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Market Size in Western Africa

The West African semi-chemical wood pulp market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, jumping by 37% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Production in Western Africa

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp production skyrocketed to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production enjoyed a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 450%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports in Western Africa

For the seventh year in a row, Western Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of semi-chemical wood pulp, which increased by 258% to X kg in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant decline. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant decline. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ghana represented the major exporting country with an export of about X kg, which recorded 77% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mali (X kg), achieving a 23% share of total exports.

Exports from Ghana decreased at an average annual rate of -32.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mali (+21.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mali emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +21.0% from 2012-2022. While the share of Mali (+23 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Ghana (-22.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) emerged as the largest semi-chemical wood pulp supplier in Western Africa, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mali ($X), with a 29% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Ghana totaled -29.9%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Western Africa amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -20.8% against the previous year. Export price indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, semi-chemical wood pulp export price decreased by -31.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 66% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mali ($X per ton), while Ghana totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+3.3%).

Semi-Chemical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports in Western Africa

For the third year in a row, Western Africa recorded growth in purchases abroad of semi-chemical wood pulp, which increased by 51% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 475%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, semi-chemical wood pulp imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 389%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the one major importers of semi-chemical wood pulp, namely Nigeria, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the semi-chemical wood pulp imports, with a CAGR of +19.1% from 2012 to 2022. While the share of Nigeria (+6.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported semi-chemical wood pulp in Western Africa.

In Nigeria, semi-chemical wood pulp imports expanded at an average annual rate of +26.8% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 50% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Nigeria.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Nigeria amounted to +6.4% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :