United Kingdom: Paper Label Market 2025

Paper Label Market Size in the UK

The UK paper label market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, rising by 2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Paper Label Production in the UK

In value terms, paper label production dropped slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Paper Label Exports

Exports from the UK

Paper label exports from the UK reduced sharply to X tons in 2021, which is down by -34.6% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper label exports contracted notably to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of paper label exports from the UK, together comprising 47% of total exports. Germany, France, the United States, Poland, Italy, Japan and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +15.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X) constituted the largest markets for paper label exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 40% share of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +10.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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.

Export Prices by Country

The average paper label export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 23% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+5.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Label Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, overseas purchases of labels of paper or paperboard decreased by -2.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 32%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper label imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 18%. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), China (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper label imports to the UK, with a combined 47% share of total imports. Italy, Ireland, Belgium, France, Poland, Spain, Chile, Denmark and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Denmark (with a CAGR of +30.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and China ($X) were the largest paper label suppliers to the UK, together accounting for 49% of total imports. The Netherlands, Ireland, the United States, France, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Denmark and Chile lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +13.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average paper label import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable descent. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :