United States Sees Significant Decline in Wrapping Papers Exports, Dropping to $1.1 Billion in 2023

U.S. Wrapping Papers Exports

Wrapping papers exports from the United States shrank significantly to 864K tons in 2023, reducing by -15.3% against 2022. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 12%. The exports peaked at 1.1M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wrapping papers exports declined markedly to $1.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $1.3B in 2022, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Canada (400K tons), Mexico (283K tons) and China (39K tons) were the main destinations of wrapping papers exports from the United States, together accounting for 84% of total exports. India, Taiwan (Chinese) and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4.3%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Canada ($493M), Mexico ($360M) and China ($43M) were the largest markets for wrapping papers exported from the United States worldwide, together comprising 85% of total exports. India, Taiwan (Chinese) and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 3.7%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, India, with a CAGR of +6.3%, 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 (343K tons) was the largest type of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard exported from the United States, with a 40% share of total exports. 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 volume of the second product type, kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (147K tons), twofold. Unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (131K tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 15% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms 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 exports amounted to -2.2%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (+2.1% per year) and unbleached sack kraft paper, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (-5.7% 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 ($496M) remains the largest type of wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard exported from the United States, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 ($132M), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by 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, with a 10% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of the value 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 exports was relatively modest. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 (+2.0% per year) and 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 (+9.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the wrapping papers price stood at $1,228 per ton (FOB, US), falling by -1.7% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average export price increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,249 per ton, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($2,641 per ton), while the average price for exports to India ($751 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (+12.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform