São Paulo – While Brazilian pulp exports rose 3.1% in volume in the first two months of the year as against the same period last year, those of paper dropped 6.2%, according to figures disclosed by the Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association (Bracelpa). Foreign sales of pulp totalled 1.4 million tonnes in January and February, with a reduction of US$ 769 million, and paper sales totalled 320,000 tonnes, with US$ 313 million. The reduction in revenues was 1.2% in pulp and 9.5% in paper.
The main destination for Brazilian pulp abroad was Europe, which answered to 44% of sales revenues, followed by China, with 31%, North America, 16%, Asia and Oceania, 8%, and Latin America, 1%. Asia, where some Arab countries may be found, had lower participation, as in the first two months of 2011, they had bought 11%. Africa, where other Arabs may be found, did not buy pulp from Brazil in the first two months of this year, neither in the same period of last year.
Sales of paper, in turn, were mainly to Latin America, with 56% participation in revenues, followed by Europe, with 16%, North America, with 8%, Asia and Oceania, with 8%, Africa, 7%, China, with 5%. Asia and Oceania gained market share, which was 6% in the first two months of last year, and Africa too, as it was 5% in January and February 2011.
Bracelpa also disclosed pulp and paper production figures, which remained stable in the first two months as against the same months in 2011. Brazil produced 2.32 million tonnes of pulp and 1.62 million tonnes of paper. However, there was also 3.2% growth in the import of pulp, to 64,000 tonnes. In terms of paper, there was a reduction in imports, which fell 12.7%, to 226,000 tonnes.
"Bracelpa is still accompanying the import of sector products, mainly those in which taxes are cancelled if turned to the production of books, newspapers and magazines. Sector figures show that printing and writing paper and cardboard have been involved in illegal operations. After having been declared free of taxation, they are used for other non-editorial purposes, competing with taxed paper, which is against fair trade and results in tax evasion,” said Bracelpa.
*Translated by Mark Ament
