U.S. Paperboard Market 2019 - Finland, South Korea, and Sweden are the Major Suppliers of Paperboard Imports

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'U.S. Paperboard Market. Analysis And Forecast to 2025'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the paperboard market in the U.S. amounted to $X in 2018, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, paperboard consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the market value increased by X% y-o-y. Paperboard consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2018, consumption failed to regain its momentum.

Paperboard Production in the U.S.

In value terms, paperboard production stood at $X in 2018. Over the period under review, paperboard production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when production volume increased by X% year-to-year. In that year, paperboard production reached its peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2018, paperboard production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports from the U.S.

In 2018, the exports of paperboard from the U.S. amounted to X tons, growing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, paperboard exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, paperboard exports attained their maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, exports failed to regain their momentum.

In value terms, paperboard exports totaled $X (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2013 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of X% year-to-year. In that year, paperboard exports attained their peak and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for paperboard exports from the U.S., with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, paperboard exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Guatemala (X tons), twofold. Italy (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of volume to China totaled +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (+X% per year) and Italy (-X% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for paperboard exports from the U.S., comprising X% of total paperboard exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Costa Rica ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Guatemala, with a X% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China amounted to +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Costa Rica (+X% per year) and Guatemala (+X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average paperboard export price stood at $X per ton in 2018, growing by X% against the previous year. Over the last five years, it increased at an average annual rate of +X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. In that year, the average export prices for paperboard attained their peak level and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Costa Rica, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into the U.S.

In 2018, the amount of paperboard imported into the U.S. stood at X tons, leveling off at the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2013 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, paperboard imports reached their peak figure in 2018 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paperboard imports amounted to $X (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2013 to 2018; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, paperboard imports reached their maximum in 2018 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Finland (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) were the main suppliers of paperboard imports to the U.S., together accounting for X% of total imports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Sweden, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paperboard suppliers to the U.S. were Finland ($X), South Korea ($X) and Sweden ($X), with a combined X% share of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Sweden recorded the highest growth rate of imports, over the last five-year period, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average paperboard import price stood at $X per ton in 2018, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, the paperboard import price, however, continues to indicate a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the average import prices for paperboard attained their peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Companies Mentioned in the Report

Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Sonoco Products Company, Westrock Company, Packaging Corporation of America, Menasha Corporation, Green Bay Packaging, Westrock Minnesota Corporation, The Real Reel Corporation, Artistic Carton Company, Chesapeake International Holding Company, Interstate Paper, Interstate Resources, Fibermark North America, Mafcote, Stone Southwest, Canal Corporation, Westrock Mwv, Rock-Tenn Converting Company, Gpi Holdings, Republic Paperboard Company, Fmk Holdings, Norampac Industries, Multi-Wall Packaging, Greenpac Mill, New-Indy Containerboard Hold Co, Asp Fibermark Holdings

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform