Eastern Asia: Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian corrugated paper box market stood at $X in 2022, rising by 2.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -2.5% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Corrugated Paper Box Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, corrugated paper box production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 20%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard, when their volume decreased by -9% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports expanded to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X tons), generating a 5.4% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to corrugated paper box exports from China stood at +3.7%. At the same time, South Korea (+6.5%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2012-2022. China (+4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest corrugated paper box supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 2.3% share of total exports.

In China, corrugated paper box exports expanded at an average annual rate of +10.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+5.6% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, surging by 12% against the previous year. Export price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, corrugated paper box export price increased by +95.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the export price increased by 16% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, the amount of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard imported in Eastern Asia reduced to X tons, which is down by -8.6% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 33%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Hong Kong SAR (X tons) represented the key importer of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard, achieving 65% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Japan (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and China (X tons), together generating a 34% share of total imports.

Hong Kong SAR experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +3.7% from 2012-2022. South Korea and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, China (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Taiwan (Chinese) (+5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while China saw its share reduced by -1.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard in Eastern Asia, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Japan, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Hong Kong SAR amounted to +1.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+13.3% per year) and Japan (+3.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -7.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, corrugated paper box import price increased by +43.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+9.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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