Europe: Handmade Paper Market 2024

Handmade Paper Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe handmade paper market decreased by -1.6% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Handmade Paper Production in Europe

In value terms, handmade paper production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +66.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Handmade Paper Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of handmade paper and paperboard, when their volume increased by 20% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, handmade paper exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt slump. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) represented the key exporter of handmade paper and paperboard, mixing up 57% of total exports. The UK (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Bulgaria (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 26% share of total exports. The following exporters - Italy (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - together made up 12% of total exports.

Exports from France decreased at an average annual rate of -3.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bulgaria (+60.3%), Spain (+10.1%) and Italy (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Europe, with a CAGR of +60.3% from 2012-2021. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Sweden (-6.2%) and the UK (-20.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. France (+27 p.p.), Bulgaria (+7.1 p.p.), Italy (+2.8 p.p.), Belgium (+1.7 p.p.) and Spain (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the UK saw its share reduced by -36.4% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X), the UK ($X) and Italy ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 70% of total exports. Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Among the main exporting countries, Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +34.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 53% against the previous year. Export price indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($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 Europe

In 2021, supplies from abroad of handmade paper and paperboard was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 36%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, handmade paper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 38%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

France represented the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 61% of total imports. The Netherlands (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 15% share, followed by Poland (9.1%) and the UK (4.9%). The following importers - Greece (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) - each reached a 4.3% share 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 Europe, with a CAGR of +23.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Greece (-2.4%), Poland (-5.9%) and the UK (-11.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of France (+20 p.p.), the Netherlands (+5.9 p.p.) and Ireland (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Poland (-1.6 p.p.) and the UK (-4.9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported handmade paper and paperboard in Europe, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8.5% share.

In France, handmade paper imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+4.0% per year) and Poland (-0.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 3.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 24% against the previous year. The level of import peaked 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 UK ($X per ton), while Greece ($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