Whereas pulp and paper firms export more primary paper products or goods which need further processing, firms in converted paper industries import more finished paper products than they export. These automotive commodities are for the most part destined for the United States, whereas wood pulp is shipped throughout the world. Companies in Europe and the United States increased pulp purchases in 1995 while most Asian countries showed small decreases. By 1996, Europe, the United States and Japan all purchased less pulp from Canada. But 8 out of the other 13 Asian countries showed a gain between 1995 and 1996.
Pulp is the largest commodity export to Europe and the second largest to Asia.
With the financial problems in Asia in 1997 it is unsure if the trend will continue. Coated and Treated Paper Industry. Footnotes Cansim matrix n o 2008, Industrial Product Price Index, Prices Division. Gross Domestic Product at Factor Cost. Cit., Cansim matrix n o 2008.