Exports of Pulp from Brazil Climb to USD 4.1 Billion in First Half 2023; China, North America, Main Destinations

Aug. 22, 2023 - The Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá) reported that for the first half of 2023, pulp exports from Brazil increased by 8.2%, totaling USD 4.1 billion, driven by sales to China and North America. The balance generated by pulp exports to China increased by 25.4% and to North America by 19.9% in the first half of 2023.

The value of paper exports to North America also increased by 20.8%, reaching R$ 130.8 million between January and June.

In the first half of 2023, the increase in pulp exports to China positioned the country as the main destination for exports of pulp produced in Brazil, reaching USD 1.8 billion traded in the first six months of 2023, followed by Europe with USD 1 billion.

With regard to paper, Latin America continues to be Brazil's main buyer and totaled USD 824 million in sales for the product.

In the first half of 2023, Brazilian pulp production reached 12 million tons. Paper manufacturing reached 5.3 million tons in the period. The production of paper for packaging was 2.9 million tons and for sanitary purposes 701,000 tons (an increase of 4.6%).

Paper sales in Brazil in the first half totaled 2.6 million tons. Wood panels, in turn, totaled 3.4 million m3.

Pulp exports between January and June totaled 9.1 million tons — growth of 1.5%. Paper totaled 1.1 million tons traded with other countries in the first half of 2023. Wooden panels, in turn, reached 499,000 m3 exported.

The Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá) is the association responsible for the institutional representation of the planted tree production chain, from the field to the industry, along with its main stakeholders. Launched in April 2014, it represents 49 companies and nine state entities of products originating from the cultivation of planted trees — wood panels, laminated floors, cellulose, paper, energy forests and biomass — in addition to independent producers of planted trees and institutional investors.