Eastern Asia: Uncoated Kraft Liner Market 2025

Uncoated Kraft Liner Market Size in Eastern Asia

After four years of growth, the East Asian uncoated kraft liner market decreased by -4.7% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Uncoated Kraft Liner Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, uncoated kraft liner production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 37%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Uncoated Kraft Liner Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, uncoated kraft liner exports in Eastern Asia dropped dramatically to X tons, waning by -21.8% against 2020 figures. In general, exports showed a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, uncoated kraft liner exports rose to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 35%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan was the major exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 51% of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by South Korea (X tons) and China (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 47% share of total exports.

Japan was also the fastest-growing in terms of the uncoated kraft liner exports, with a CAGR of +30.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, China (+18.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, South Korea (-5.5%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (-12.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Japan (+47 p.p.) and China (+9.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Korea and Taiwan (Chinese) saw its share reduced by -6.3% and -49.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Japan ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and China ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 88% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Japan, with a CAGR of +28.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 33% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the export prices remained at a 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 ($X per ton), while Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Uncoated Kraft Liner Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, the amount of uncoated kraft liner imported in Eastern Asia declined significantly to X tons, which is down by -28.8% on the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 39%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, uncoated kraft liner imports declined to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -28.7% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 55%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the main importer of uncoated kraft liner, mixing up 81% of total imports. South Korea (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 10% share, followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (4.7%). Japan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the uncoated kraft liner imports, with a CAGR of +4.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, South Korea (-1.0%) and Japan (-6.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of China increased by +9.7 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported uncoated kraft liner in Eastern Asia, comprising 80% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 4.4% share.

In China, uncoated kraft liner imports increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Korea (+0.8% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 25% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Japan ($X per ton) and South Korea ($X per ton), while Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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