In the wood panels segment, production reached 8 million cubic meters in 2014, 1.1% higher than during the same period in 2013. Paper production remained stable, totaling 10.4 million tons in 2014.
From January through December 2014, the volume of wood panel exports totaled 421,000 cubic metres, a 20.6% increase year-over-year. Paper exports reached 1.8 million tons in the 2014 YTD, a 1.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2013.
Pulp, paper and wood panel export revenues in 2014 totaled $7.4 billion, up 1.1% compared to 2013, when total revenues reached $7.3 billion. The industry’s trade surplus for the year totaled $5.5 billion, a 2.8% increase year-over-year. Europe is still the main destination for Brazilian pulp, answering for approximately 40% of the revenue, followed by China and North America, with 30% and 20% respectively. Shipments to China increased 8.2% in 2014.
From January through December 2014, pulp sales in the domestic market grew 5.5% year-over-year, reaching 1.8 million tons. In 2014, paper and wood panel sales remained stable, totaling 5.7 million tons and 7.1 million cubic metres, respectively.
“2015 will be a year of important challenges for the sector, especially in view of the tax adjustments that are being announced by the economic team as President Dilma Rousseff’s second term gets under way. Competitiveness will continue to be a key concern on the industry’s agenda this year, mainly as in order to stand up to global players that are becoming increasingly competitive,” says Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, Ibá’s CEO.