Recovered Paper Prices in China

China Recovered Paper Import Price in September 2022

In September 2022, the recovered paper price amounted to $219 per ton (CIF, China), reducing by -7.5% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in February 2022 an increase of 3.4% against the previous month. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $254 per ton in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to September 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for Hong Kong SAR.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Hong Kong SAR amounted to -1.1% per month.

China Recovered Paper Import Prices by Type

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplied products. In September 2022, the product with the highest price was paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass ($232 per ton), while the price for paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard ($217 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 or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.s. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap (0.0%), while the prices for the other products experienced a decline.

China Recovered Paper Imports

Recovered paper imports into China reached 57K tons in September 2022, with an increase of 7.3% against the previous month's figure. In general, total imports indicated strong growth from January 2022 to September 2022: its volume increased at an average monthly rate of +7.7% over the last eight-month period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on September 2022 figures, imports increased by +6.0% against May 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in February 2022 when imports increased by 47% m-o-m. Imports peaked in September 2022.

In value terms, recovered paper imports declined to $12M (IndexBox estimates) in September 2022. The total import value increased at an average monthly rate of +6.5% over the period from January 2022 to September 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain months. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in February 2022 when imports increased by 52% m-o-m. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at 13K tons in May 2022; however, from June 2022 to September 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

China Recovered Paper Imports by Type

In September 2022, paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard (46K tons) constituted the largest type of recovered paper supplied to China, with a 80% share of total imports. Moreover, paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass (6K tons), eightfold.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly growth rate of the volume of import of paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard stood at +7.8%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass (+6.1% per month) and paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp (eg newspapers, journals and similar printed matter) (+9.0% per month).

In value terms, paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard or of corrugated paper or paperboard ($9.9M) constituted the largest type of recovered paper supplied to China, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass ($1.4M), with an 11% share of total imports.

China Recovered Paper Imports by Country

In September 2022, Hong Kong SAR (55K tons) was the main recovered paper supplier to China, accounting for a approximately 96% share of total imports.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume from Hong Kong SAR amounted to +7.5%.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($12M) constituted the largest supplier of recovered paper to China.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value from Hong Kong SAR amounted to +6.3%.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform