EU: Handmade Paper Market 2025

Handmade Paper Market Size in the EU

After four years of growth, the EU handmade paper market decreased by -1% to $X in 2021. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Handmade Paper Production in the EU

In value terms, handmade paper production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +75.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 40%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Handmade Paper Exports

Exports in the EU

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of handmade paper and paperboard increased by 2.6% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 58%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, handmade paper exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France dominates exports structure, finishing at X tons, which was approx. 71% of total exports in 2021. Bulgaria (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 8.9% share, followed by Italy (5.2%). The following exporters - Belgium (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Spain (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) - together made up 11% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to handmade paper exports from France stood at -3.5%. At the same time, Bulgaria (+60.3%), Spain (+10.1%), the Netherlands (+7.2%) and Italy (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +60.3% from 2012-2021. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Sweden (-6.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Bulgaria (+8.8 p.p.), Spain (+1.7 p.p.) and Italy (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while France saw its share reduced by -2.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X) remains the largest handmade paper supplier in the European Union, comprising 50% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 10% share.

In France, handmade paper exports declined by an average annual rate of -2.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Italy (+9.6% per year) and the Netherlands (+3.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 55% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 60% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat 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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+8.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Handmade Paper Imports

Imports in the EU

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of handmade paper and paperboard increased by 26% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, handmade paper imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

France represented the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which finished at 65% of total imports. The Netherlands (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Poland (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 26% share of total imports. The following importers - Greece (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) - together made up 4.6% of total imports.

France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of handmade paper and paperboard. At the same time, Ireland (+23.1%) and the Netherlands (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ireland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +23.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Greece (-2.4%) and Poland (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of France (+19 p.p.), the Netherlands (+5.8 p.p.) and Ireland (+1.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Poland (-2.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported handmade paper and paperboard in the European Union, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 22% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 9.7% share.

In France, handmade paper imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+4.0% per year) and Poland (-0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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 Netherlands ($X per ton), while Greece ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+5.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :