Germany's Wrapping Papers Exports Drop 21% to $1.3B in 2023

Germany Wrapping Papers Exports

In 2023, exports of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard from Germany reduced notably to 907K tons, which is down by -20.6% against 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at 2M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wrapping papers exports dropped markedly to $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a modest expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 49%. The exports peaked at $2.6B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

the Netherlands (143K tons), Poland (114K tons) and Austria (77K tons) were the main destinations of wrapping papers exports from Germany, together comprising 37% of total exports. France, Mexico, Belgium, the UK and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mexico (with a CAGR of +77.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($157M), the Netherlands ($153M) and Austria ($112M) were the largest markets for wrapping papers exported from Germany worldwide, with a combined 31% share of total exports. France, the UK, Mexico, Italy and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Among the main countries of destination, Mexico, with a CAGR of +75.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports by Type

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 (368K tons) was the largest type of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard exported from Germany, accounting for a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, 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 exceeded the volume of the second product type, unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (168K tons), twofold. Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (120K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the volume of 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 exports totaled -1.3%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (+39.0% per year) 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 (+4.5% per year).

In value terms, 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 ($424M), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($308M) and unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($210M) were the most exported types of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard from Germany worldwide, with a combined 70% share of total exports.

Among the main product categories, unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm , with a CAGR of +40.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 $1,483 per ton (FOB, Germany), approximately mirroring the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a modest increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $1,496 per ton, leveling off in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($2,057 per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($1,071 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 (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform