MERCOSUR: Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR non-corrugated paper box market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 23%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, the amount of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard exported in MERCOSUR soared to X tons, surging by 32% compared with the previous year. Total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +111.5% against 2017 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) represented the largest exporter of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, comprising 55% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Uruguay (X tons), Chile (X tons), Colombia (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons), together achieving a 37% share of total exports. Argentina (X tons) and Peru (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Chile (+17.7%), Ecuador (+5.6%) and Peru (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Chile emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +17.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Uruguay (-4.2%), Colombia (-7.0%) and Argentina (-13.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Brazil (+28 p.p.), Chile (+6.1 p.p.) and Ecuador (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Uruguay (-10.2 p.p.), Colombia (-10.6 p.p.) and Argentina (-15.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) remains the largest non-corrugated paper box supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 47% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Uruguay ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Brazil amounted to +8.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uruguay (-0.5% per year) and Colombia (-5.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 10% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

Non-corrugated paper box imports rose notably to X tons in 2022, surging by 7.7% on 2021. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% 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 +105.5% against 2015 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 46%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 +65.8% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Chile (X tons) represented the main importer of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, making up 44% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), Ecuador (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Peru (X tons), together committing a 45% share of total imports. Colombia (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-corrugated paper box imports into Chile stood at +18.1%. At the same time, Argentina (+18.3%), Ecuador (+14.7%), Colombia (+6.2%) and Peru (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +18.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Paraguay (-11.7%) and Brazil (-12.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Chile (+32 p.p.), Argentina (+15 p.p.) and Ecuador (+6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Paraguay and Brazil saw its share reduced by -11.1% and -33.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($X), Brazil ($X) and Argentina ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 75% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Argentina, with a CAGR of +20.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 8.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, 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 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+9.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform