The sector of tissue paper and personal hygiene products consists of few large vertically integrated manufacturing units of unprocessed tissue paper, part of which they convert into finished products while they sell the remaining to third parties (processors).
The number of companies which operate in the sector of personal hygiene goods is restricted, while the majority of them are importers. On the contrary many companies only process tissue paper for the production of finished goods for household-professional use.
The overall domestic production of unprocessed tissue paper has been in decline from 2009 onwards, while the fall became more intense in the period 2012-2016 mainly due to the fact that important sector companies stopped their production activity. In 2020 the domestic production of unprocessed tissue paper registered a fall of 9.6% compared to the previous year. The sharp increase in imports filled the gap between demand and supply (of unprocessed tissue paper). In 2021 the production of unprocessed tissue paper is expected to recover.
Imports of unprocessed tissue paper have followed an upward trend during 2014-2020 showing an average annual growth rate of 17%. Imports showed a massive growth in 2014, 2016 and 2020. Exports of unprocessed tissue paper registered a rise during 2019-2020 both in terms of quantity and value. In 2020 exports increased by 9.2% in quantity and 12.5% in value.
The production of end tissue products increased during 2013-2020 (excluding 2015 and 2017). In 2020 it increased by 8.3% compared to 2019. In recent years, the increasing demand for private label products, which are mainly domestically produced, as well as the increase in exports, have contributed to the increase in domestic production. A marginal fall is expected for 2021.
Total imports of end tissue products and personal hygiene products have registered fluctuations. In 2020 imports dropped by 9.8% compared to 2019 (in quantity), however their total value increased by 5%.
Exports of end tissue products and personal hygiene products increased both in terms of quantity and value (excluding 2015) during 2010-2020. In 2020 exports sharply increased by 15.4% compared to 2019 (in value), and by 23.9% in quantity