Eastern Asia: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in Eastern Asia

For the fifth consecutive year, the East Asian recovered paper market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -2.3% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, recovered paper production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, approx. X tons of recovered paper were exported in Eastern Asia; falling by -18.4% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 3.6%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper exports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan represented the largest exporter of recovered paper in Eastern Asia, with the volume of exports recording X tons, which was approx. 61% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and South Korea (X tons), together comprising a 33% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Japan decreased at an average annual rate of -9.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +7.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, South Korea (-2.3%) and Hong Kong SAR (-7.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Korea (+6.4 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Japan (-11.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the largest recovered paper supplier in Eastern Asia, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hong Kong SAR ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Japan amounted to -8.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Hong Kong SAR (-6.6% per year) and South Korea (-0.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, falling by -3.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 61% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) and Japan ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

Recovered paper imports shrank to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -8.7% on 2021 figures. Overall, imports saw a dramatic shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 5.1% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, recovered paper imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 50% of total imports. South Korea (X tons) held a 32% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by China (18%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest recovered paper importing markets in Eastern Asia were South Korea ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and China ($X), with a combined 98% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +4.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 36%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($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 (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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