Japan: Corrugated Paper Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Market Size in Japan

The Japanese corrugated paper market shrank to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -12.9% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a deep setback. Corrugated paper consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Production in Japan

In value terms, corrugated paper production shrank slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Corrugated Paper Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, shipments abroad of corrugated paper and paperboard increased by 99% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Malaysia (X tons) was the main destination for corrugated paper exports from Japan, with a 70% share of total exports. Moreover, corrugated paper exports to Malaysia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Philippines (X tons), ninefold. Indonesia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Malaysia totaled -3.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Philippines (-2.9% per year) and Indonesia (-20.2% per year).

In value terms, Malaysia ($X) remains the key foreign market for corrugated paper and paperboard exports from Japan, comprising 25% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Philippines ($X), with an 8.8% share of total exports. It was followed by Indonesia, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Malaysia was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Philippines (+0.0% per year) and Indonesia (-20.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average corrugated paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -32.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 148%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+23.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Corrugated Paper Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, the amount of corrugated paper and paperboard imported into Japan shrank to X tons, declining by -8.9% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, corrugated paper imports amounted to $X in 2021. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 31%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of corrugated paper to Japan, with a 61% share of total imports. Moreover, corrugated paper imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Indonesia (X tons), fourfold. Vietnam (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled -15.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (+28.5% per year) and Vietnam (+4.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of corrugated paper and paperboard to Japan, comprising 48% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled -12.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+18.7% per year) and Thailand (+13.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average corrugated paper import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, corrugated paper import price increased by +80.6% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average import price increased by 35%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Indonesia ($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 United States (+18.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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