Latin America: A forest products market in transformation

5 key drivers to watch

The Covid-19 pandemic swept through Latin America, bringing long-term change to local economies and industries. Consumer graphic paper consumption dropped as schools and offices closed while packaging demand rose due to home deliveries.

So much change in a short period has accelerated forest products supply and demand trends in the region. As economies try to recover, paper and packaging producers are working to keep their businesses profitable and sustainable. What are the five key factors to watch?

This video explores:

  1. A struggling economic recovery
  2. Growing sustainability initiatives
  3. Packaging demand
  4. Graphic paper decline
  5. The future of BEK pulp supply

 

 To stay on top of the latest trends and market shifts, visit our pulp, paper and packaging insights hub

Case Study

Learn how to monitor packaging prices using cost and price indices and understand the underlying cost drivers, from material cost to labor, energy and more. Examples include cartonboard, liquid container and paper bag.

What to read next
This Viewpoint is a follow-up to our previous analysis, Buckle up for 2026!, which unravels the turbulent political and economic storms shaking Latin America. Global supply chain realignment The region is entering 2026 in an environment where global competition for energy, critical minerals and strategic supply chains has become central and supply chains are being restructured. These shifts […]
Fastmarkets has deleted monthly averages for January PIX Indices that were published in error on the Fastmarkets Dashboard on Wednesday January 7. Individual indices published the same day were unaffected and remain valid.
Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for Latin America Packaging Paper and Board, via an open consultation process between November 12 and December 29, 2025. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.
Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for Latin America Graphic Paper, via an open consultation process between November 12 and December 29, 2025. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.
Fastmarkets invited feedback from the industry on the pricing methodology for Latin America Recovered Paper, via an open consultation process between November 12 and December 29, 2025. This consultation was done as part of our published annual methodology review process.
Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were published with a delay of 1 day: MB-IRO-0018, Iron ore 61% Fe fines, % Fe VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmtMB-IRO-0019, Iron ore 65% Fe fines, % Fe VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmtMB-IRO-0020, Iron ore fines, % Si VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmtMB-IRO-0021, Iron ore fines, % Al2O3 VIU, […]