
U.S. - Packaging Materials - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
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View PricingAugust 2023 Sees a $537M Surge in Export of Packaging Materials From the United States
U.S. Packaging Materials Exports
In August 2023, shipments abroad of packaging materials increased by 3.5% to 631K tons for the first time since May 2023, thus ending a two-month declining trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in March 2023 with an increase of 25% against the previous month.
In value terms, packaging materials exports totaled $537M (IndexBox estimates) in August 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in March 2023 with an increase of 18% month-to-month.
COUNTRY | Export Value of Packaging Materials in U.S. (million USD) | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 2022 | Sep 2022 | Oct 2022 | Nov 2022 | Dec 2022 | Jan 2023 | Feb 2023 | Mar 2023 | Apr 2023 | May 2023 | Jun 2023 | Jul 2023 | Aug 2023 | |
Canada | 190 | 185 | 170 | 178 | 164 | 178 | 170 | 184 | 166 | 177 | 176 | 170 | 161 |
Mexico | 182 | 175 | 162 | 186 | 156 | 175 | 158 | 181 | 151 | 176 | 154 | 143 | 145 |
China | 49.1 | 43.0 | 40.0 | 36.5 | 37.7 | 34.7 | 35.2 | 44.9 | 38.3 | 35.4 | 35.7 | 27.5 | 31.4 |
Japan | 33.8 | 27.5 | 22.7 | 26.0 | 26.0 | 22.5 | 22.6 | 18.5 | 22.2 | 20.9 | 23.9 | 19.8 | 19.1 |
Guatemala | 31.3 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 9.9 | 10.9 | 15.6 | 12.5 | 12.6 | 13.9 | 15.5 | 18.9 | 19.2 | 18.5 |
Costa Rica | 28.0 | 28.6 | 29.1 | 17.3 | 19.4 | 18.7 | 12.1 | 23.9 | 22.8 | 15.7 | 18.1 | 19.6 | 17.3 |
Italy | 14.4 | 4.9 | 13.3 | 12.1 | 10.9 | 10.5 | 7.3 | 9.9 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 11.6 | 5.4 | 10.4 |
Others | 240 | 198 | 207 | 150 | 173 | 157 | 133 | 174 | 132 | 137 | 125 | 118 | 134 |
Total | 768 | 682 | 658 | 617 | 597 | 612 | 551 | 648 | 555 | 588 | 562 | 523 | 537 |
Exports by Country
Mexico (160K tons), Canada (155K tons) and China (53K tons) were the main destinations of packaging materials exports from the United States, together comprising 58% of total exports. Guatemala, Costa Rica, Italy and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.
From August 2022 to August 2023, the biggest increases were in Italy (with a CAGR of -0.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.
In value terms, the largest markets for packaging materials exported from the United States were Canada ($161M), Mexico ($145M) and China ($31M), with a combined 63% share of total exports.
Among the main countries of destination, Canada, with a CAGR of -1.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.
Exports by Type
Paperboard case materials (428K tons) was the largest type of packaging materials exported from the United States, accounting for a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, paperboard case materials exceeded the volume of the second product type, folding boxboard (121K tons), fourfold. Wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard (75K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.
From August 2022 to August 2023, the average monthly growth rate of the volume of export of paperboard case materials stood at -1.0%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: folding boxboard (-3.3% per month) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard (-1.5% per month).
In value terms, the most traded types of packaging materials in the United States were paperboard case materials ($275M), folding boxboard ($165M) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard ($92M), with a combined 99% share of total exports. These products were followed by other papers packaging, which accounted for a further 0.9%.
Wrapping papers, with a CAGR of -1.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced a decline.
Export Prices by Country
In August 2023, the packaging materials price stood at $851 per ton (FOB, US), almost unchanged from the previous month. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in September 2022 an increase of 3% m-o-m. The export price peaked at $1,034 per ton in October 2022; however, from November 2022 to August 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In August 2023, the country with the highest price was Japan ($1,304 per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($562 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From August 2022 to August 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada (0.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the packaging materials 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 1617 - Case materials
- FCL 1618 - Cartonboard
- FCL 1621 - Wrapping papers
- FCL 1622 - Other papers mainly for packaging
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:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- 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. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
- MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Volume Forecast to 2035
- Market Value Forecast to 2035
- Market Size and Growth, By Product
- Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
- Exports and Growth, By Product
- Export Prices and Growth, By Product
- Production Volume and Growth
- Exports and Growth
- Export Prices and Growth
- Market Size and Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports and Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024