Eastern Europe: Corrugated Paper Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2021, the East European corrugated paper market increased by 17% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Corrugated Paper Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, corrugated paper production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 27%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Corrugated Paper Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

Corrugated paper exports rose remarkably to X tons in 2021, surging by 5.7% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 10%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the key exporters of corrugated paper and paperboard in 2021, finishing at approx. 32% and 29% of total exports, respectively. Russia (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 12% share, followed by Latvia (6.1%), Romania (5.4%) and Hungary (5%). Lithuania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper supplying countries in Eastern Europe were the Czech Republic ($X), Poland ($X) and Russia ($X), with a combined 72% share of total exports.

Russia, with a CAGR of +12.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 32% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Hungary ($X per ton) and Lithuania ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lithuania (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Corrugated Paper Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the sixth year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in purchases abroad of corrugated paper and paperboard, which increased by 18% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +65.4% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, corrugated paper imports soared to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Poland was the largest importer of corrugated paper and paperboard in Eastern Europe, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was near 37% of total imports in 2021. Hungary (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 15% share, followed by Slovakia (14%), the Czech Republic (12%), Belarus (5.9%) and Lithuania (5.5%). Estonia (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Poland was also the fastest-growing in terms of the corrugated paper and paperboard imports, with a CAGR of +23.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Hungary (+9.5%), Slovakia (+5.8%), Belarus (+5.8%) and Lithuania (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Estonia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-3.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Poland and Hungary increased by +28 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Slovakia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 64% of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +26.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 27% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. As a result, import price reached 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 the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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