Pulp exports increased 17.9%, from 1.4 million tons in the first two months of 2013 to a little over 1.6 million tons in the same period this year, where a record high of 7.7% in paper exports was ascertained, totaling 321 thousand tons of the product.
With that, the industry’s trade balance totaled $1.2 billion, an increase of 15.9% compared to the first two months of 2013. Europe and China are still the main destinations for Brazilian pulp, which generates approximately 43% and 32% of the product’s foreign sales revenues, respectively. North America has a share of approximately 16%.
In relation to paper, Latin America continues to be the main market for the product and accounts for approximately 52% of February YTD export revenues, followed by Europe and North America, accounting for 16% and 14%, respectively. Shipments to North America increased 29% in the first couple months of the year, year-over-year. Paper sales in the domestic market totaled 910 thousand tons, with a high of 2.7%, year-over-year.
The Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association (Bracelpa) is the association that represents the Brazilian pulp and paper industry before its audiences of interest.