Asia: Folding Boxboard Market 2025

Folding Boxboard Market Size in Asia

In 2021, the Asian folding boxboard market increased by 0.4% to $X, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 3.3%. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Folding Boxboard Production in Asia

In value terms, folding boxboard production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 6.9% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Folding Boxboard Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of folding boxboard were exported in Asia; picking up by 12% compared with 2020 figures. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +16.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 23%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, folding boxboard exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the largest exporter of folding boxboard, committing 42% of total exports. It was distantly followed by India (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Turkey (X tons), together generating a 36% share of total exports. Japan (X tons), Indonesia (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and Thailand (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, India (+36.9%), Turkey (+17.7%), Thailand (+9.2%), South Korea (+8.7%), Indonesia (+6.4%), Japan (+1.8%) and Singapore (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +36.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of India (+14 p.p.) and Turkey (+3.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Singapore (-2.3 p.p.), Japan (-2.6 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-12.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest folding boxboard supplier in Asia, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 9.7% share of total exports. It was followed by India, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +8.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+9.2% per year) and India (+32.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 6.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a mild slump. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Singapore ($X per ton), while India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Folding Boxboard Imports

Imports in Asia

For the tenth year in a row, Asia recorded growth in supplies from abroad of folding boxboard, which increased by 11% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, folding boxboard imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of folding boxboard imports in 2021 were China (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons), together reaching 41% of total import. Japan (X tons) took a 6.3% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Malaysia (5.4%) and the United Arab Emirates (4.7%). Thailand (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Bangladesh (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), India (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and the Philippines (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +14.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Turkey ($X) and Vietnam ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 38% share of total imports. Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan (Chinese), the United Arab Emirates, India, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Bangladesh lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +14.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, surging by 8.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a slight decline. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while Bangladesh ($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 Philippines (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :