Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Prices in China

China Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Export Price in September 2022

In September 2022, the uncoated wood free printing and writing paper price amounted to $1,140 per ton (FOB, China), surging by 1.8% against the previous month. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in April 2022 when the average export price increased by 24% month-to-month. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $1,563 per ton. From May 2022 to September 2022, the the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was India ($1,961 per ton), while the average price for exports to New Zealand ($747 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Guatemala (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

China Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Export Prices by Type

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major types of exported product. In September 2022, the product with the highest price was handmade paper and paperboard ($8,267 per ton), while the average price for exports of graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² ($1,819 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: paper and paperboard; uncoated, containing 0% to 10% by weight mechanical or chemi-mechanical process fibres, weighing more than 150g/m2, strips or rolls over 15cm wide or sheets one side over 36cm, other side over 15cm, unfolded, strips, rolls or sheets (+10.5%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

China Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Exports

In September 2022, overseas shipments of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers decreased by -17.3% to 83K tons, falling for the second consecutive month after three months of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in May 2022 with an increase of 47% m-o-m. Over the period under review, the exports of reached the peak figure at 102K tons in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to September 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers shrank sharply to $94M (IndexBox estimates) in September 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a temperate increase from January 2022 to September 2022: its value increased at an average monthly rate of +4.5% over the last eight months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on September 2022 figures, exports decreased by -16.3% against July 2022 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in May 2022 with an increase of 26% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at 112K tons in July 2022; however, from August 2022 to September 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

China Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Exports by Type

Graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² (1.7K tons) was the largest type of uncoated wood free printing and writing paper exported from China, with a 81% share of total exports. Moreover, graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² exceeded the volume of the second product type, paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets (289 tons), sixfold.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the volume of export of graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² amounted to +2.9%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets (+26.2% per month) and handmade paper and paperboard (-6.5% per month).

In value terms, graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² ($3.1M) emerged as the largest type of uncoated wood free printing and writing paper exported from China, comprising 65% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by handmade paper and paperboard ($937K), with a 19% share of total exports.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of the export volume of graphic paper with mechanical fibre content under 10% and of weight under 40 g/m² stood at -2.5%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average monthly rates of growth were recorded: handmade paper and paperboard (-4.5% per month) and paper and paperboard; uncoated, of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets (+16.9% per month).

China Uncoated Wood Free Printing and Writing Paper Exports by Country

Japan (11K tons), Mexico (8.2K tons) and Hong Kong SAR (5.1K tons) were the main destinations of exports of uncoated wood free printing and writing papers from China, with a combined 30% share of total exports. Turkey, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Malaysia, South Korea, New Zealand and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Guatemala (with a CAGR of +61.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($9.1M), Mexico ($7.7M) and India ($5M) were the largest markets for uncoated wood free printing and writing paper exported from China worldwide, with a combined 23% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Turkey, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Canada, Guatemala and New Zealand, which together accounted for a further 35%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Guatemala, with a CAGR of +65.2%, recorded 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.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform