Mexico's Import of Wrapping Papers Drops to $552 Million in 2023

Mexico Wrapping Papers Imports

In 2023, approx. 465K tons of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard were imported into Mexico; declining by -18.4% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 622K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wrapping papers imports dropped remarkably to $552M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 16%. Imports peaked at $665M in 2022, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2023, the United States (340K tons) constituted the largest supplier of wrapping papers to Mexico, accounting for a 73% share of total imports. Moreover, wrapping papers imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Sweden (56K tons), sixfold. Canada (32K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.9% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United States amounted to +1.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (+10.0% per year) and Canada (-3.8% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($377M) constituted the largest supplier of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard to Mexico, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sweden ($70M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 7.6% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (+11.5% per year) and Canada (-1.6% per year).

Imports by Type

In 2023, 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 (254K tons) constituted the largest type of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard supplied to Mexico, with a 55% share of total imports. 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 figures recorded for the second-largest type, unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (89K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (34K tons), with a 7.3% 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 imports amounted to +1.4%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (-3.3% 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 (+6.0% 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 ($274M) constituted the largest type of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard supplied to Mexico, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($110M), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by 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 an 8% share.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the wrapping papers price stood at $1,187 per ton (CIF, Mexico), rising by 1.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($1,825 per ton), while the price for the United States ($1,110 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform