June 2023 Sees Slight Decrease in Folding Boxboard Imports to $70M in Canada

Canada Folding Boxboard Imports

Folding boxboard imports into Canada dropped slightly to 45K tons in June 2023, with a decrease of -4.6% against the month before. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in November 2022 with an increase of 9.3% month-to-month.

In value terms, folding boxboard imports contracted slightly to $70M (IndexBox estimates) in June 2023. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in July 2022 with an increase of 12% month-to-month. As a result, imports attained the peak of $78M. From August 2022 to June 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In June 2023, the United States (40K tons) constituted the largest folding boxboard supplier to Canada, with a 89% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden (964 tons), with a 2.1% share of total imports. Germany (851 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1.9% share.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Sweden (+1.1% per month) and Germany (-19.0% per month).

In value terms, the United States ($58M) constituted the largest supplier of folding boxboard to Canada, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($2.5M), with a 3.6% share of total imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 3.4% share.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the average monthly growth rate of value from the United States was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Germany (-1.8% per month) and Mexico (-4.7% per month).

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) (8.9K tons), 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/m² (8.4K tons) and 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 (8.2K tons) were the main products of folding boxboard imports to Canada, with a combined 57% 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/m² , 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; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225 g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no. 4805, 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/m², and adhesives), 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 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, 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 comprising a further 43%.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by 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 (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the most traded types of folding boxboard 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/m² ($18M), 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) ($11M) and 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/m² ($11M), together comprising 56% of total imports. These products were followed by 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, 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/m², and adhesives), 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, 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 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, 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, which together accounted for a further 44%.

Import Prices by Country

In June 2023, the folding boxboard price amounted to $1,547 per ton (CIF, Canada), standing approximately at the previous month. Over the last twelve-month period, it increased at an average monthly rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in July 2022 an increase of 20% against the previous month. The import price peaked at $1,562 per ton in September 2022; however, from October 2022 to June 2023, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In June 2023, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($3,346 per ton), while the price for the United States ($1,449 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From June 2022 to June 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+21.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform