Paperboard Case Material Prices in China

China Paperboard Case Material Import Price in September 2022

In September 2022, the paperboard case material price stood at $543 per ton (CIF, China), which is down by -11% against the previous month. Overall, the import price showed a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in June 2022 an increase of 1.7% month-to-month. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $626 per ton in January 2022; however, from February 2022 to September 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In September 2022, the country with the highest price was the United States ($775 per ton), while the price for Vietnam ($400 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+0.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

China Paperboard Case Material Import Prices by Type

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In September 2022, the product with the highest price was paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805 ($1,234 per ton), while the price for paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets ($463 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805 (+4.7%), while the prices for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.

China Paperboard Case Material Imports

In September 2022, approximately 504K tons of paperboard case materials were imported into China; increasing by 11% on the month before. The total import volume increased at an average monthly rate of +1.4% over the period from January 2022 to September 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 with an increase of 23% against the previous month. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in September 2022.

In value terms, paperboard case material imports declined slightly to $274M (IndexBox estimates) in September 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 with an increase of 24% m-o-m. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 304K tons in June 2022; however, from July 2022 to September 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

China Paperboard Case Material Imports by Type

In September 2022, paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets (223K tons) constituted the largest type of paperboard case material supplied to China, accounting for a 44% share of total imports. Moreover, paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² (103K tons), twofold. Testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m² (87K tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 17% share.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of import of paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets stood at +2.9%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² (+0.6% per month) and testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m² (-0.8% per month).

In value terms, paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets ($103M), testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing > 150 g/m² ($57M) and unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($51M) appeared to be the most imported types of paperboard case materials in China, with a combined 77% share of total imports. Testliner "recycled liner board", uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm or in square or rectangular sheets with one side > 36 cm and the other side > 15 cm in the unfolded state, weighing <= 150 g/m², paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in heading no.4805, semi-chemical fluting and kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

China Paperboard Case Material Imports by Country

Russia (81K tons), Vietnam (66K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (63K tons) were the main suppliers of paperboard case material imports to China, together comprising 42% of total imports.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the biggest increases were in Russia (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paperboard case material suppliers to China were Russia ($50M), Lao People's Democratic Republic ($35M) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($29M), together comprising 42% of total imports.

Russia, with a CAGR of +13.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform