The trade balance for the Brazilian planted tree industry reached $2.9 billion from January to May of 2017, growth of 4.9% compared to the same period last year, according to the the Brazilian Tree Industry (Ibá).
During the year, the sector accumulated total exports of $3.3 billion, 3.2% higher than the same period in 2016. Pulp sales abroad reached $2.4 billion (+4.1%), while foreign sales of paper were $767 million (-2%) and of wood panels were $113 million (+25.6%).
Brazilian pulp production reached 8 million tons (+5.3%) between January and May of 2017, and paper registered 4.3 million tons (-0.6%).
Exports demand for Brazilian pulp remains high in the international market. During the first five months of the year 5.5 million tons of pulp were exported, an expansion of 4.7% over the same five months of 2016. The paper sector recorded exports of 892,000 tons (+1.8%), and wood panels reached 490,000 cubic meters (+36.5%).
China has maintained its position as the main destination for Brazilian pulp, representing more than 43% of the total exported by Brazil and generating income of approximately $1 billion for the year, an increase of 27.7% compared to the first five months of 2016.
Meanwhile, Latin America remains the main market for the paper and wood panel sectors, generating revenues of $492 million (+10.3%) and $62 million (+26.5%), respectively.
Sales of paper and wood panels on the domestic market remained stable at 2.1 million tons and 2.6 million cubic meters, respectively.
