Germany's Export of Wrapping Papers Plummets to $1.3 Billion in 2024

Germany Wrapping Papers Exports

In 2024, shipments abroad of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard decreased by -14% to 780K tons, falling for the third year in a row after eight years of growth. Over the period under review, total exports indicated temperate growth from 2014 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -34.2% against 2021 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at 1.2M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wrapping papers exports declined remarkably to $1.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. In general, exports, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $1.7B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

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

From 2014 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 +32.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($157M), the Netherlands ($153M) and Austria ($112M) appeared to be the largest markets for wrapping papers exported from Germany worldwide, together accounting for 31% 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 +35.9%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 (257K tons), unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (165K 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 (105K tons) were the main products of wrapping papers exports from Germany, together accounting for 67% of total exports. 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, paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets, sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, sulphite wrapping paper, paper; greaseproof papers, in rolls or sheets, paper; vegetable parchment, in rolls or sheets 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/m lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2014 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for paper; glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets (with a CAGR of +13.9%), 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 Germany were 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 ($299M), kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($254M) and unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($184M), with a combined 67% share of total exports.

In terms of the main product categories, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803, with a CAGR of +16.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2024, the wrapping papers price amounted to $1,483 per ton (FOB, Germany), leveling off at the previous year. Over the period from 2014 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached 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 export 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 2014 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform