U.S. exports of bleached softwood kraft (BSK) pulp in the first quarter of this year increased 10% on a y/y basis, with a 20% increase to China and Mexico, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census (Washington, D.C., USA). For the same period, U.S. exports of bleached hardwood kraft (BHK) pulp were down 22% on a y/y basis.

The following table shows U.S. imports in March and the first quarter 2016 for both BSK and BHK pulps to key countries and the rest of the world.