Canada's Folding Boxboard Imports Decline to $834 Million in 2023

Canada Folding Boxboard Imports

In 2023, the amount of folding boxboard imported into Canada declined slightly to 588K tons, with a decrease of -3.3% compared with the previous year. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 49%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 678K tons. From 2019 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, folding boxboard imports declined to $834M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $868M, and then declined modestly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2023, the United States (526K tons) constituted the largest folding boxboard supplier to Canada, accounting for a 90% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden (14K tons), with a 2.4% share of total imports. Germany (11K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (+17.8% per year) and Germany (+11.9% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($707M) constituted the largest supplier of folding boxboard to Canada, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($30M), with a 3.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 3% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States totaled +2.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+9.1% per year) and Germany (+10.7% per year).

Imports by Type

Kraft paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding that for writing, printing or other graphic purposes; paper and paperboard bleached uniformly in the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content) (120K tons), paper and paperboard; multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in heading no. 4810, in rolls or sheets (106K tons) and paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, bleached and weighing > 150 g/m (100K tons) were the main products of folding boxboard imports to Canada, with a combined 55% share of total imports. 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 , kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight between 150 and 225g/m2, bleached uniformly throughout, more than 95% of total fibre content consists of chemically processed wood fibres, in rolls or sheets, paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding bleached and weighing > 150 g/m, and adhesives), paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.s. in item no. 4804.4, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, bleached uniformly throughout, more than 95% of total fibre content consists of chemically processed wood fibres, in rolls or sheets and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, n.e.s. in item no. 4804.5, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805 (with a CAGR of +27.8%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, folding boxboard with the largest imports in Canada were paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, bleached and weighing > 150 g/m ($209M), paper and paperboard; multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in heading no. 4810, in rolls or sheets ($131M) and kraft paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding that for writing, printing or other graphic purposes; paper and paperboard bleached uniformly in the mass and containing > 95% chemically processed wood fibres by weight in relation to the total fibre content) ($118M), with a combined 55% share of total imports. 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 , kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight between 150 and 225g/m2, bleached uniformly throughout, more than 95% of total fibre content consists of chemically processed wood fibres, in rolls or sheets, paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, coated, impregnated or covered with artificial resins or plastics, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size (excluding bleached and weighing > 150 g/m, and adhesives), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.s. in item no. 4804.4, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, n.e.s. in item no. 4804.5, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 and kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, bleached uniformly throughout, more than 95% of total fibre content consists of chemically processed wood fibres, in rolls or sheets lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the folding boxboard price amounted to $1,418 per ton (CIF, Canada), leveling off at the previous year. In general, import price indicated a slight expansion from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, folding boxboard import price increased by +26.3% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 45% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $1,908 per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($2,982 per ton), while the price for the United States ($1,344 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform