Latin America and the Caribbean: Folding Boxboard Market 2025

Folding Boxboard Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American folding boxboard market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Folding Boxboard Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, folding boxboard production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Folding Boxboard Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of folding boxboard, when their volume decreased by -11.2% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, folding boxboard exports contracted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 4.6% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Chile was the major exporter of folding boxboard in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 56% of total exports in 2021. Brazil (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Mexico (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 35% share of total exports. The following exporters - Panama (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) - each recorded a 4.2% share of total exports.

Exports from Chile increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Panama (+78.0%), Paraguay (+51.9%) and Mexico (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Panama emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +78.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Brazil (-6.6%) and Argentina (-12.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Chile (+7 p.p.), Paraguay (+5.3 p.p.), Mexico (+3.2 p.p.) and Panama (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Argentina (-4.3 p.p.) and Brazil (-14.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Mexico ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 86% share of total exports. Argentina, Paraguay and Panama lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.3%.

Paraguay, with a CAGR of +55.7%, saw the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 2.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 2.3% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Folding Boxboard Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, supplies from abroad of folding boxboard was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, folding boxboard imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Mexico represented the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which reached 41% of total imports. Brazil (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Colombia (X tons), Peru (X tons), Chile (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons). All these countries together held near 36% share of total imports. Argentina (X tons), Costa Rica (X tons), Guatemala (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), the Dominican Republic (X tons) and Honduras (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of folding boxboard. At the same time, Chile (+10.1%), Guatemala (+7.4%), the Dominican Republic (+3.2%), Brazil (+3.1%) and Peru (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +10.1% from 2012-2021. Ecuador and El Salvador experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Argentina (-3.8%), Costa Rica (-4.7%), Colombia (-5.8%) and Honduras (-8.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Chile, Brazil and Guatemala increased by +3.6, +3 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported folding boxboard in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mexico stood at +2.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+0.0% per year) and Colombia (-1.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 4.4%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Honduras (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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