Latin America and the Caribbean: Handmade Paper Market 2025

Handmade Paper Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American handmade paper market contracted to $X in 2021, dropping by -4.5% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Handmade Paper Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, handmade paper production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% 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 decreased by -11.7% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Handmade Paper Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Handmade paper exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, picking up by 78% on the year before. Overall, exports, however, recorded a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 387% 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 fell to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted a significant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 1,275% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Dominican Republic represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 66% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Brazil (X tons), achieving a 28% share of total exports. Peru (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to handmade paper exports from the Dominican Republic stood at -3.2%. At the same time, Peru (+39.9%) and Brazil (+6.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +39.9% from 2012-2021. Brazil (+16 p.p.) and Peru (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the Dominican Republic saw its share reduced by -2.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X) remains the largest handmade paper supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 87% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($X), with a 9.3% share of total exports.

In the Dominican Republic, handmade paper exports expanded at an average annual rate of +29.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Brazil (+7.5% per year) and Peru (+23.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -47.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 183%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

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 Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Dominican Republic (+34.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Handmade Paper Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, the amount of handmade paper and paperboard imported in Latin America and the Caribbean contracted markedly to X tons, declining by -19.7% on the previous year. In general, imports recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 23%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, handmade paper imports shrank to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

British Virgin Islands was the key importer of handmade paper and paperboard in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was near 39% of total imports in 2021. Trinidad and Tobago (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 8.2% share, followed by Honduras (8.1%), Peru (7.2%), Ecuador (6.8%), Panama (6%) and Guatemala (5.1%).

Imports into British Virgin Islands increased at an average annual rate of +20.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Guatemala (+41.1%), Peru (+37.3%), Ecuador (+35.4%), Honduras (+10.5%) and Panama (+9.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guatemala emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +41.1% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Trinidad and Tobago (-13.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of British Virgin Islands, Peru, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and Panama increased by +34, +6.9, +6.5, +5.8, +5 and +4.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, British Virgin Islands ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported handmade paper and paperboard in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guatemala ($X), with a 7% share of total imports. It was followed by Panama, with a 5.4% share.

In British Virgin Islands, handmade paper imports increased at an average annual rate of +20.0% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Guatemala (+33.9% per year) and Panama (+10.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, rising by 13% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a mild descent. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Panama (+1.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :