Recycled pulp trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in recycled pulp was worth $2.20 billion in 2024, about 5.33 million tonnes. That is an increase of 163% since 2017, and down 6% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.20B | 5.33M t |
| 2023 | $2.34B | 5.53M t |
| 2022 | $2.55B | 4.31M t |
| 2021 | $2.18B | 3.78M t |
| 2020 | $1.49B | 2.94M t |
| 2019 | $1.17B | 1.87M t |
| 2018 | $1.04B | 1.19M t |
| 2017 | $837.2M | 811.4K t |
Top recycled pulp exporting countries
Thailand is the largest exporter with 29% of world exports, followed by Malaysia and China. The top three supply 55% between them, out of 106 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $646.5M | 29% |
| Malaysia | $362.6M | 17% |
| China | $200.6M | 9.1% |
| United States | $167.7M | 7.6% |
| Germany | $113.1M | 5.1% |
| Philippines | $110.6M | 5% |
| Indonesia | $76.6M | 3.5% |
| France | $70.5M | 3.2% |
| Taiwan | $61.1M | 2.8% |
| Spain | $56.8M | 2.6% |
| Hungary | $34.1M | 1.6% |
| Uzbekistan | $32.7M | 1.5% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (52%), Germany (4%) and Saudi Arabia (4%). 147 countries imported it, and the top three take 61% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.15B | 52% |
| Germany | $95.9M | 4.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $95.1M | 4.3% |
| Japan | $78.6M | 3.6% |
| South Korea | $64.6M | 2.9% |
| United Kingdom | $50.8M | 2.3% |
| Netherlands | $49.5M | 2.3% |
| Thailand | $45.5M | 2.1% |
| Malaysia | $42.5M | 1.9% |
| France | $37.2M | 1.7% |
| Brazil | $33.4M | 1.5% |
| Austria | $31.2M | 1.4% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.41 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Philippines averaged $3.70 per kg and Thailand $0.27 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 4706: Pulps of fibres derived from recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard or of other fibrous cellulosic material. HS 4706 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most recycled pulp?
Thailand exported $646.5 million in 2024, 29% of the world total, followed by Malaysia (16%) and China (9%). In all, 106 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most recycled pulp?
China imported $1.15 billion in 2024, 52% of world imports, ahead of Germany (4%) and Saudi Arabia (4%). The top three importers together take 61%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in recycled pulp?
It was worth $2.20 billion in 2024, about 5.33 million tonnes. That is an increase of 163% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $2.55 billion. 106 countries reported exports and 147 reported imports.
What is the average price of recycled pulp per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.41 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Philippines averaged $3.70 per kg and Thailand $0.27 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for recycled pulp?
The HS code for recycled pulp is heading 4706, in chapter 47 (pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 4706 page.
How can I find recycled pulp buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.