The UK’s chemical wood pulp imports peaked in 2015 with significant year-on-year growth of 45.57%. However, it faced substantial fluctuations thereafter, with notable declines in 2016, 2019, and especially in the early 2020s. The last two years showed a mixed trend, with a major recovery in 2022 followed by a more modest growth of 2.57% in 2023, indicating some stability. In 2023, imports stood at 522.86 million Euros. Over the last five years leading to 2023, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) averaged -3.77%, reflecting a downward trend.
Future projections suggest a continued downward trend, with a forecasted average annual decline of 0.46% over the next five years, resulting in a total growth rate decline of 2.3% by 2028. Factors to watch include the impact of global economic conditions, sustainability efforts, and technological advancements in the chemical wood pulp industry, which could influence future import volumes.
