Latin America and the Caribbean: Recovered Paper Market 2024

Recovered Paper Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American recovered paper market declined slightly to $X in 2022, falling by -3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, recovered paper production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of recovered paper increased by 3.7% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, recovered paper exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 41%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Guatemala (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) were the main exporters of recovered paper in Latin America and the Caribbean, together recording near 42% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Costa Rica (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), Honduras (X tons), Chile (X tons), Brazil (X tons), Panama (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons), together comprising a 48% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Panama (with a CAGR of +56.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Guatemala ($X), the Dominican Republic ($X) and Costa Rica ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 55% of total exports. El Salvador, Honduras, Chile, Brazil, Nicaragua and Panama lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Panama, with a CAGR of +22.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2022, the export price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Dominican Republic (+3.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, purchases abroad of recovered paper decreased by -5.8% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 20%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, recovered paper imports expanded markedly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +80.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 59%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Mexico prevails in imports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 73% of total imports in 2022. Colombia (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Ecuador (X tons). All these countries together took near 11% share of total imports. Guatemala (X tons), El Salvador (X tons), Peru (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to recovered paper imports into Mexico stood at +4.4%. At the same time, Guatemala (+12.0%), Argentina (+9.4%) and Peru (+6.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Guatemala emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +12.0% from 2012-2022. Colombia and Ecuador experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, El Salvador (-6.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mexico (+9.2 p.p.) and Guatemala (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Ecuador (-1.5 p.p.) and El Salvador (-4.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported recovered paper in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Colombia ($X), with a 4.3% share of total imports. It was followed by El Salvador, with a 4.2% share.

In Mexico, recovered paper imports increased at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Colombia (+0.6% per year) and El Salvador (-3.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 20% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 32% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was El Salvador ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Guatemala (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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