Brazil Sees a Significant Drop in Exports of Wrapping Papers, Down to $143M in 2023

Brazil Wrapping Papers Exports

In 2023, approx. 163K tons of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard were exported from Brazil; falling by -12.7% against 2022. In general, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +15.4% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 84%. The exports peaked at 187K tons in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, wrapping papers exports contracted notably to $143M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +18.3% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 56%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $188M, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Argentina (36K tons) was the main destination for wrapping papers exports from Brazil, with a 22% share of total exports. Moreover, wrapping papers exports to Argentina exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Italy (15K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Saudi Arabia (11K tons), with a 6.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Argentina totaled +2.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (+11.4% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+9.7% per year).

In value terms, Argentina ($43M) remains the key foreign market for wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard exports from Brazil, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($10M), with a 7.3% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 6.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to Argentina amounted to +2.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+43.1% per year) and Italy (+12.7% per year).

Exports by Type

Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (75K tons), unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (66K tons) and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (8.2K tons) were the main products of wrapping papers exports from Brazil, together comprising 92% of total exports. Paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818, sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm, paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets, paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin "china clay" or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, sulphite wrapping paper, kraft paper and paperboard, bleached uniformly throughout the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, weighing <= 150 g/m and paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.1%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets (with a CAGR of +31.8%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard with the largest exports in Brazil were unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($53M), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($53M) and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($16M), together accounting for 86% of total exports. Paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than those of heading no. 4803 or 4818, paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets, sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm, paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin "china clay" or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, sulphite wrapping paper, kraft paper and paperboard, bleached uniformly throughout the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, weighing <= 150 g/m and paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, with a CAGR of +30.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the wrapping papers price stood at $873 per ton (FOB, Brazil), which is down by -12.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a slight shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,034 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($1,309 per ton), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($503 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform