Asia: Handmade Paper Market 2025

Handmade Paper Market Size in Asia

In 2021, the Asian handmade paper market increased by 2.2% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Handmade Paper Production in Asia

In value terms, handmade paper production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 15%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Handmade Paper Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of handmade paper and paperboard were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports posted a buoyant increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, handmade paper exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 61% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

India was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 49% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), China (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons), together committing a 44% share of total exports. The following exporters - the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) - each accounted for a 4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to handmade paper exports from India stood at +9.3%. At the same time, Japan (+47.4%), Kuwait (+16.9%) and the United Arab Emirates (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Japan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +47.4% from 2012-2021. Saudi Arabia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Malaysia (-1.6%) and China (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Japan (+22 p.p.), India (+7.3 p.p.) and Kuwait (+2.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and China saw its share reduced by -1.9%, -6.7% and -13.6% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest handmade paper supplying countries in Asia were Japan ($X), China ($X) and India ($X), with a combined 83% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Japan, with a CAGR of +30.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -15.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs 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 amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+5.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Handmade Paper Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2021, handmade paper imports in Asia shrank dramatically to X tons, which is down by -54.5% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 38%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, handmade paper imports fell to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 22%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, India (X tons), distantly followed by Japan (X tons), Singapore (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons), Yemen (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Qatar (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) represented the largest importers of handmade paper and paperboard, together mixing up 82% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to handmade paper imports into India stood at -14.0%. At the same time, Vietnam (+26.3%), Yemen (+12.2%), Singapore (+3.6%) and Hong Kong SAR (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Asia, with a CAGR of +26.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-2.4%), South Korea (-3.0%), Japan (-6.3%) and Qatar (-24.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Yemen (+7.2 p.p.), Singapore (+6.9 p.p.), Hong Kong SAR (+6.1 p.p.), Vietnam (+4.7 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+3.7 p.p.), South Korea (+3.2 p.p.) and Japan (+2.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of India (-11.2 p.p.) and Qatar (-23 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported handmade paper and paperboard in Asia, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Yemen ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Vietnam, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Japan amounted to -7.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Yemen (+29.2% per year) and Vietnam (+31.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 103% against the previous year. Import price indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Yemen (+15.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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