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U.S. - Paper and Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

U.S. - Paper and Paperboard - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Nov 4, 2022

U.S. Paper and Paperboard Price Peaks at $1.3K per Ton, Growing Steadily over 2022

U.S. Paper and Paperboard Import Price per Ton in August 2022

In August 2022, the paper and paperboard price per ton amounted to $1.3K (CIF, US), approximately equating the previous month. Over the last seven-month period, it increased at an average monthly rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in May 2022 when the average import price increased by 5.8% against the previous month. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in August 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Italy ($2.0K per ton), while the price for Canada ($1.0K per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Paper and Paperboard Import Prices by Type

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue ($7.6K per ton), while the price for graphic papers ($1.1K per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by graphic papers (+2.9%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Paper and Paperboard Imports

Paper and paperboard imports into the United States rose notably to 823K tons in August 2022, surging by 9.8% on the previous month's figure. The total import volume increased at an average monthly rate of +3.1% from January 2022 to August 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain months. The growth pace was the most rapid in March 2022 when imports increased by 13% m-o-m. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in August 2022.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports reached $1B (IndexBox estimates) in August 2022. The total import value increased at an average monthly rate of +5.7% over the period from January 2022 to August 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain months. The growth pace was the most rapid in March 2022 with an increase of 13% against the previous month. Imports peaked in August 2022.

U.S. Paper and Paperboard Imports by Type

Graphic papers (469K tons), packaging materials (313K tons) and toilet or facial tissue stock, towel and similar paper (36K tons) were the main products of paper and paperboard imports to the United States, with a combined 99% share of total imports. Paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue lagged somewhat behind, accounting for a further 0.6%.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the biggest increases were in tissue paper (with a CAGR of +7.9%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, graphic papers ($514M), packaging materials ($432M) and toilet or facial tissue stock, towel and similar paper ($58M) were the most imported types of paper and paperboard in the United States, with a combined 96% share of total imports. Paper other than graphic, packaging or tissue lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 3.6%.

U.S. Paper and Paperboard Imports by Country

In August 2022, Canada (417K tons) constituted the largest supplier of paper and paperboard to the United States, accounting for a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, paper and paperboard imports from Canada exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Finland (104K tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Sweden (53K tons), with a 6.4% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from Canada was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Finland (+7.9% per month) and Sweden (+7.9% per month).

In value terms, Canada ($421M) constituted the largest supplier of paper and paperboard to the United States, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Finland ($125M), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.9% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly growth rate of value from Canada stood at +3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average monthly rates of imports growth: Finland (+10.9% per month) and Germany (+5.6% per month).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the paper and paperboard market in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

  • FCL 1676 - Household and sanitary papers
  • FCL 1617 - Case materials
  • FCL 1618 - Cartonboard
  • FCL 1621 - Wrapping papers
  • FCL 1622 - Other papers mainly for packaging
  • FCL 1683 - Other paper and paperboard n.e.s. (not elsewhere specified)
  • FCL 1671 - Newsprint
  • FCL 1612 - Printing and writing papers, uncoated, mechanical
  • FCL 1615 - Printing and writing papers, uncoated, wood free
  • FCL 1616 - Printing and writing papers, coated

Country coverage:

  • United States

Data coverage:

  • Market volume and value
  • Per Capita consumption
  • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
  • Trade (exports and imports) in the U.S.
  • Export and import prices
  • Market trends, drivers and restraints
  • Key market players and their profiles

Reasons to buy this report:

  • Take advantage of the latest data
  • Find deeper insights into current market developments
  • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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