Paperboard Case Material Prices in the United States

U.S. Paperboard Case Material Export Price per Ton in August 2022

In August 2022, the paperboard case material price per ton stood at $803.8 (FOB, US), leveling off at the previous month. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in June 2022 when the average export price increased by 2.4% m-o-m. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $810.5 per ton. From July 2022 to August 2022, the the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In August 2022, the countries with the highest prices were Peru ($976.0 per ton) and Turkey ($943.0 per ton), while the average price for exports to the Dominican Republic ($721.0 per ton) and Italy ($723.0 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+4.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Paperboard Case Material Export Prices by Type

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In August 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 ($1.4K per ton), while the average price for exports of paper and paperboard; uncoated, straw fluting paper, rolls or sheets ($411.2 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets (+2.1%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

U.S. Paperboard Case Material Exports

In August 2022, overseas shipments of paperboard case materials increased by 6% to 477K tons for the first time since March 2022, thus ending a four-month declining trend. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in March 2022 when exports increased by 19% month-to-month. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 520K tons. From April 2022 to August 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paperboard case material exports expanded rapidly to $384M (IndexBox estimates) in August 2022. The total export value increased at an average monthly rate of +1.1% from January 2022 to August 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain months. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 when exports increased by 21% month-to-month. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $403M. From April 2022 to August 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

U.S. Paperboard Case Material Exports by Type

unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm (309K tons) was the largest type of paperboard case material exported from the United States, accounting for a 71% share of total exports. Moreover, unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm exceeded the volume of the second product type, paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets (48K tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by 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 (36K tons), with an 8.2% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of export of unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm was relatively modest. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets (+3.3% 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 (+0.4% per month).

In value terms, unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm ($257M) remains the largest type of paperboard case material exported from the United States, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by 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 ($27M), with a 7.7% share of total exports. It was followed by paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets, with a 7.4% share.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the export volume of unbleached kraftliner, uncoated, in rolls of a width > 36 cm stood at +1.6%. With regard to the other exported 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 (-0.1% per month) and paper and paperboard; uncoated, fluting paper other than semi-chemical or straw, rolls or sheets (+5.5% per month).

U.S. Paperboard Case Material Exports by Country

Mexico (127K tons), Canada (89K tons) and China (45K tons) were the main destinations of paperboard case material exports from the United States, together comprising 55% of total exports. These countries were followed by Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Italy, Honduras, Chile, Colombia, Turkey, South Korea, Peru, the Dominican Republic and Spain, which together accounted for a further 34%.

From January 2022 to August 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Colombia (with a CAGR of +16.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for paperboard case material exported from the United States were Mexico ($99M), Canada ($70M) and China ($33M), with a combined 53% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Italy, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Turkey, South Korea, the Dominican Republic and Spain, which together accounted for a further 36%.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +21.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform