The Pulp Trade Map · Makers and buyers
Italy made 0.15 million tons of pulp in 2024 and imported 3.35 million tons, the fourth largest pulp import in the world 1. Sweden and Finland together made 21.0 million tons 1. Europe is a maker, a buyer and a rule-maker at the same time, and this post gives the numbers for each role.
Published October 27, 2026 · Facts as of October 27, 2026 · 12 min read · Sources listed at the end
Facts as of October 27, 2026. This page states the facts as they stood on that date. Figures, rules and company plans may have changed since publication. We review this guide every six months and update the pages.
The 60-second version
What is it?
Europe makes pulp, buys pulp and writes the rules for pulp sold on its market. By FAO's count, Europe made 44.5 million tons of pulp in 2024 and imported 18.8 million tons 1.
Myth or fact?
"Europe's pulp comes from other continents."
See the answer
Partly true. In 2024, Germany's paper industry imported 2.6 million tons of pulp: 1.2 million from other EU countries, 0.8 million from Brazil and 0.6 million from other countries 4. Part of Germany's imported pulp comes from other EU countries.
01Which European countries does this post cover?
The selection rule is simple. Take the 12 largest pulp importers in FAO's 2024 data, then keep the members of the European Union. China appears once, as mainland China. Six countries remain: Germany, 4.74 million tons (3rd); Italy, 3.35 million tons (4th); the Netherlands, 2.08 million tons (6th); France, 1.50 million tons (9th); Spain, 1.24 million tons (11th); and Poland, 1.19 million tons (12th) 1.
Together they imported 14.1 million tons. That is 19.5% of the 72.2 million tons the world imported in 2024 1. China alone took 30.3 million tons, or 41.9% 1. Türkiye, 8th with 1.61 million tons, sits outside the EU and outside this post.
The 12 largest pulp importers in 2024
02What do these six countries do with the pulp?
Our sources describe two of the six industries in detail. They cover Germany and Italy.
Germany's paper industry used 3.3 million tons of pulp in 2024. It imported 2.6 million tons of that: 1.2 million from EU countries, 0.8 million from Brazil and 0.6 million from other countries. Brazil, Sweden and Finland are its three largest suppliers 4. FAO's figure for all of Germany's pulp imports is 4.74 million tons. The association's figure covers the pulp its own industry used, so the two do not match 1,4.
Italy makes almost no pulp but a lot of tissue. FAO shows 0.15 million tons of Italian pulp production against 3.35 million tons of imports 1. A consultant, Bruce Janda of ResourceWise, wrote in Tissue World that the Lucca district accounts for "24% of European tissue production" and that Italian tissue mills mainly use non-integrated baled pulp 7. The page gives no year for the 24%.
The Netherlands produced 0.04 million tons in 2024, imported 2.08 million tons and exported 1.64 million tons 1. The Port of Rotterdam says it handles forest products "such as timber, paper, wood pulp and cellulose" and gives no tonnage 8. No source we found says how much of the Dutch figure is pulp passing through to other countries.
The six EU importers and what their paper industries make
| Country (rank) | Imports, 2024 (Mt) | Own pulp output, 2024 (Mt) | What its paper industry makes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (3rd) | 4.74 | 1.76 | Paper, board and cardboard: 19.2 Mt in 2024 and 18.7 Mt in 2025. In 2025: packaging 12.5 Mt, graphic papers 3.4 Mt (down 16.7%), hygiene papers 1.35 Mt, technical and specialty papers 1.4 Mt 4,5. |
| Italy (4th) | 3.35 | 0.15 | Paper: 7.8 Mt in 2025, down 2.2% 6. Tissue mills mainly use non-integrated baled pulp 7. |
| Netherlands (6th) | 2.08 | 0.04 | Not covered by our sources. |
| France (9th) | 1.50 | 1.47 | Not covered by our sources. |
| Spain (11th) | 1.24 | 1.25 | Not covered by our sources. |
| Poland (12th) | 1.19 | 1.65 | Not covered by our sources. |
03Does Europe make as much pulp as it buys?
By FAO's count, Europe made 44.5 million tons of pulp in 2024. That is 23.5% of the world's 189.1 million tons. Europe imported 18.8 million tons, 26.0% of world imports, and exported 18.4 million tons 1. The trade balance was a net import of 0.4 million tons.
Two limits apply to these numbers. FAO's Europe includes Russia, which made 8.6 million tons in 2024, or 19.4% of the regional total. FAO's regional trade also includes trade between European countries, so the 18.8 million tons includes shipments between European countries 1.
Cepi, the European paper industry federation, counts its member countries and reports trade with countries outside the group. In 2025 its members produced 34.2 million tons of pulp and consumed 34.3 million tons. Market pulp production was 15.6 million tons, or 46% of the total. Market pulp trade outside Cepi was 7.6 million tons of exports and 7.7 million tons of imports. Cepi's 2024 production was 34.6 million tons 3. FAO and Cepi use different country lists, so the totals do not compare directly. Both show a region close to balance.
The data show a fall in production. Europe's output was 47.9 million tons in 2022 and 43.7 million tons in 2023, a drop of 8.7% 1. No source we found explains the 2023 fall. Cepi, an industry body, says the European paper industry "has been steadily losing production assets over the past three years" and that "foreign state support and asymmetric market conditions weigh on European industry's competitiveness" 3. Cepi's statement covers paper and board, not pulp alone.
In 2024, 66% of the fuel used by Europe's pulp and paper industry came from biomass. That figure covers the whole industry, including mills that make paper from recovered fiber 3.
Europe: pulp production, imports and exports, 1968 to 2024
- Production
- Imports
- Exports
04Who makes the pulp in Europe?
Two countries make nearly half of it. Sweden made 11.36 million tons and Finland 9.68 million tons in 2024, together 21.0 million tons, or 47.3% of FAO's Europe total 1. Cepi's member data for 2025 give Sweden 32.7% and Finland 27.6% of member production 3.
The two countries moved apart. Sweden's output was 11.6 million tons in 2015 and 11.4 million tons in 2024, down 2.2%. Finland's was 12.1 million tons in 2018, its highest year since 2015, and 9.7 million tons in 2024, down 19.7% 1. The Nordics post covers the mills and the reasons companies give for changes.
Sweden and Finland: pulp production, 1961 to 2024
- Sweden
- Finland
05How much of Brazil's pulp does the EU buy?
In 2025, Brazil reported 4.90 million tons of pulp exports to EU countries. That is 22.0% of its 22.25 million tons 2. China took 47.7%. Italy took 1.81 million tons and the Netherlands 1.49 million tons 2.
The EU's volume has been steady. It was 4.68 million tons in 2015, which was 39.1% of Brazil's exports, and 4.90 million tons in 2025, up 4.8%. Brazil's total exports grew 86.0%, so the EU's share fell 2. See Brazil's pulp exports for the exporter's side.
One comparison does not match. Brazil reports 0.35 million tons shipped to Germany in 2024. Germany's paper association says 0.8 million tons of the pulp its industry used came from Brazil 2,4. Our Comtrade download leaves out sulfite and non-wood pulp, and the association counts pulp used by its industry. No source we found explains the full gap.
Where Brazil's pulp goes, 2015 to 2025
- China
- United States
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Other EU
- Rest of world
06What rules does the EU set for pulp?
Pulp and paper of Chapters 47 and 48 are in the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation, with two exceptions: bamboo-based products and recovered (waste and scrap) products 9. Pulp may be placed on the EU market only if it is free of deforestation after December 31, 2020, produced under the law of the producing country, and covered by a due diligence statement 9. Only the first company to place the pulp on the market files the statement. Later buyers and traders collect supplier and customer details and the reference numbers, and keep records for at least five years 10. The traceability post explains how tracing works.
The Commission's May 2026 review proposed no further change to the basic legal text and kept the dates 13. Mongabay reported in December 2024 that the Brazilian trade body Ibá estimates the rule will add $40 to $230 a ton to the cost of pulp, depending on the size and complexity of the supply chain. The estimate is older than the 2025 simplifications and may be out of date 14.
The country list matters for a buyer's workload. Sweden, Finland, Canada, Chile and Uruguay are low risk. Brazil and Indonesia are standard risk. Russia is high risk 11. For a lender, such a rule affects working capital and counterparty checks; see buyer country and performance risk and working capital and trade finance.
The packaging regulation, (EU) 2025/40, has applied since August 12, 2026 and aims for recyclable packaging by 2030 12. The packaging post covers fiber packaging. For every dated rule, see the pulp watch.
| Measure | What it does | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, main duties 9,10 | Pulp and paper of Chapters 47 and 48 need a due diligence statement, legal origin and no deforestation after Dec 31, 2020. | Dec 30, 2026 | Applies soon |
| Same regulation, micro and small companies 10 | The same duties start later for natural persons and micro or small companies. | Jun 30, 2027 | Later date |
| EUDR country risk list, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1093 11 | Low risk: Sweden, Finland, Canada, Chile, Uruguay, US. Standard: Brazil, Indonesia. High: Russia. | May 2025 | In force |
| Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 12 | Aims for packaging on the EU market to be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. | Aug 12, 2026 | Applies |
What this means for traders
- Treat Europe as three markets: the Nordic makers, the buyers in Germany and Italy, and the EU rule-maker.
- Check whether a European import figure counts trade between European countries. FAO's does.
- Before December 30, 2026, check who files the EUDR due diligence statement in each of your pulp contracts.
Questions traders ask
How much pulp does Europe make?
FAO counts 44.5 million tons of wood pulp made in Europe in 2024, which is 23.5% of world production. FAO's Europe includes Russia, which made 8.6 million tons. Cepi, which counts its member countries, reports 34.6 million tons for 2024 and 34.2 million tons for 2025.
Which EU countries import the most pulp?
In FAO's 2024 data the six largest EU importers were Germany (4.74 million tons), Italy (3.35), the Netherlands (2.08), France (1.50), Spain (1.24) and Poland (1.19). Together they took 19.5% of world pulp imports.
How much of Brazil's pulp goes to the EU?
In 2025, as reported by Brazil, 4.90 million tons or 22.0% of its 22.25 million tons of pulp exports went to EU countries. China took 47.7%. The EU's share was 39.1% in 2015, but its tons rose 4.8% while Brazil's total grew 86.0%.
Does the EU Deforestation Regulation cover pulp?
Yes. The regulation lists pulp and paper of Chapters 47 and 48, except bamboo-based and recovered products. Its main duties apply from December 30, 2026, and from June 30, 2027 for micro and small companies.
Where does Europe's pulp output come from?
Sweden and Finland made 21.0 million tons in 2024, or 47.3% of FAO's Europe total. Sweden made 11.36 million tons and Finland 9.68 million tons. Finland's output fell 19.7% between 2018 and 2024.
Read next
- Makers and buyersThe Nordics: Europe's pulp makers
- Makers and buyersBrazil: can the largest pulp exporter keep growing?
- InnovationTracing the tree: certification and the EU rule
- InnovationPulp against plastic: molded fiber and paper packaging
- Money and rulesPulp watch: every rule and date in one place
- Makers and buyersChina: the largest buyer is building its own mills
- Ossiano Trade Finance GuideHow each trade finance instrument works
- GlossaryTrade finance terms in plain English
Buying or selling pulp into Europe? Ossiano Capital works on trade finance for pulp and paper trades.
Start the ConversationSources and notes
- FAOSTAT Forestry, item 1875 Wood pulp, production, imports and exports, 1961 to 2024 (Europe as FAO defines it; Germany, Italy, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), France, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Russian Federation; World row). Downloaded October 2026. Shares and changes are our calculations. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO
- UN Comtrade, exports reported by Brazil, HS 470100, 470200, 470311, 470319, 470321, 470329 and 470500, 2015 to 2025 (2025 provisional), partner rows with usable weights, EU members summed by us. Downloaded October 2026 and checked by us. https://comtradeplus.un.org/
- Cepi, Key Statistics 2025 (final), July 2026, and press release of July 2, 2026 (pulp production, consumption, market pulp, trade outside Cepi, energy 2024). https://www.cepi.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Cepi_Press-Release_2025-Key-Stats_FINAL.pdf
- DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE e.V., Papier 2025, Ein Leistungsbericht (2024 data), 2025. https://www.papierindustrie.de/fileadmin/0002-PAPIERINDUSTRIE/07_Dateien/XX-LB/PAPIER_2025_Leistungsbericht_digital.pdf
- DIE PAPIERINDUSTRIE e.V., Paper Facts and Figures 2025, Table 1 (2025 data). https://www.papierindustrie.de/fileadmin/0002-PAPIERINDUSTRIE/99_Publikationen/Papierindustrie_FactsFigures2025_FINAL.pdf
- Il Nordest, Assocarta, nel 2025 produzione carta cala del 2,2%, importazioni +7,5%, June 25, 2026. https://www.ilnordest.it/italia-ed-esteri/assocarta-nel-2025-produzione-carta-cala-del-2-2-importazioni-7-5-ck93vt4v
- Tissue World Magazine, Bruce Janda (ResourceWise), Italy tissue industry outlook, March 25, 2025. https://www.tissueworldmagazine.com/country-report/italy/italy-tissue-industry-outlook/
- Port of Rotterdam Authority, Breakbulk products (web page), read October 27, 2026. https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/breakbulk-products
- EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, consolidated text as at December 26, 2025, Articles 2 and 3 and Annex I. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02023R1115-20251226
- EUR-Lex, Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 of December 19, 2025 (application dates; duties of downstream operators and traders). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32025R2650
- EUR-Lex, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1093 of May 22, 2025 (country risk list). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32025R1093
- European Commission, DG Environment, Packaging waste topic page, read October 27, 2026. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/packaging-waste_en
- Council of the European Union, ST 8943 2026 INIT, transmitting Commission report COM(2026) 191 final of May 4, 2026. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-8943-2026-INIT/en/pdf
- Mongabay, Brazil paper and pulp industry invests in blockchain to comply with EUDR, December 2024 (Ibá cost estimate). https://news.mongabay.com/2024/12/brazil-paper-and-pulp-industry-invests-in-blockchain-to-comply-with-eudr/
Trade figures come from UN Comtrade (2015 to 2025, as reported by 10 countries) and FAOSTAT (1961 to 2024), checked and recalculated by us; each chart names whose data it uses. All tons are metric tons. All facts on this page are as of October 27, 2026, the date of publication, and may have changed since. For rules and tariffs, check the pulp watch before you act.
About this post. Prepared for Ossiano Capital. People planned, researched, wrote and checked this post, using AI tools to help with research and checking. You are welcome to quote or reuse it: please credit Ossiano Capital and link to this page.
