Eastern Asia: Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in Eastern Asia

In 2022, the East Asian non-corrugated paper box market decreased by -0.2% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. The total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 -1.0% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -0.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 23% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, the amount of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard exported in Eastern Asia amounted to X tons, remaining constant against 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +78.5% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 91% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) - each recorded an 8.5% share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +3.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Korea (-6.9%) and Hong Kong SAR (-12.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+9.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Korea (-2.9 p.p.) and Hong Kong SAR (-7.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest non-corrugated paper box supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 92% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 3.7% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 1.8% share.

In China, non-corrugated paper box exports expanded at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-8.4% per year) and South Korea (-0.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 3.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, approx. X tons of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard were imported in Eastern Asia; declining by -9.8% against 2021. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 12%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a mild decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 22%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Hong Kong SAR was the largest importer of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard in Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 47% of total imports in 2022. Japan (X tons) took a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (13%), South Korea (13%) and China (8.4%). Macao SAR (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Hong Kong SAR decreased at an average annual rate of -5.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+5.4%) and South Korea (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +5.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Japan (-2.5%), Macao SAR (-6.2%) and China (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Taiwan (Chinese), South Korea and Japan increased by +8.1, +6.7 and +2.4 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X), Japan ($X) and South Korea ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 73% share of total imports. Taiwan (Chinese), China and Macao SAR lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +6.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2022, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 9.2%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Macao SAR (+7.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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