Latin America and the Caribbean: Composite Paperboard Market 2025

Composite Paperboard Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

After three years of growth, the Latin American composite paperboard market decreased by -2.5% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Composite Paperboard Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, composite paperboard production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 30% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Composite Paperboard Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, overseas shipments of composite paper and paperboard were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, saw a deep setback. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, composite paperboard exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, faced a deep downturn. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Guatemala (X tons) and Costa Rica (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together constituting 94% of total exports. The following exporters - Jamaica (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) - each amounted to a 3.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Jamaica (with a CAGR of +64.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest composite paperboard supplying countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were Guatemala ($X), Costa Rica ($X) and Argentina ($X), together accounting for 96% of total exports. These countries were followed by Jamaica, which accounted for a further 1.1%.

Jamaica, with a CAGR of +51.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -10.5% against the previous year. Export price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, composite paperboard export price decreased by -14.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the export price increased by 33%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Jamaica ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Composite Paperboard Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the amount of composite paper and paperboard imported in Latin America and the Caribbean surged to X tons, rising by 30% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, composite paperboard imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Mexico was the major importing country with an import of around X tons, which amounted to 48% of total imports. Chile (X tons) held a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Colombia (6.3%), Costa Rica (5.6%), Peru (5.2%) and Brazil (5.1%). Ecuador (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Mexico increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Peru (+11.5%), Ecuador (+7.6%) and Costa Rica (+4.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Chile (-1.7%), Brazil (-2.3%) and Colombia (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Mexico, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Brazil increased by +29, +4.6, +4.1, +3.4, +2.3 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported composite paper and paperboard in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 53% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Brazil, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico amounted to +3.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+1.3% per year) and Brazil (-4.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -8.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 36%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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