Republic of Korea: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in Republic of Korea

The South Korean recovered paper market reduced modestly to $X in 2022, declining by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Recovered Paper Production in Republic of Korea

In value terms, recovered paper production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 41%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports from Republic of Korea

In 2022, overseas shipments of recovered paper decreased by -2.2% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, recovered paper exports shrank notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 63%. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Vietnam (X tons) was the main destination for recovered paper exports from South Korea, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, recovered paper exports to Vietnam exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Indonesia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Pakistan (X tons), with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Vietnam amounted to +23.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Indonesia (+18.6% per year) and Pakistan (+19.9% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($X) remains the key foreign market for recovered paper exports from South Korea, comprising 54% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Indonesia ($X), with a 26% share of total exports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Vietnam stood at +24.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Indonesia (+20.1% per year) and Pakistan (+18.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average recovered paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -15.1% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, recovered paper export price increased by +28.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 51%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined rapidly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+18.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports into Republic of Korea

In 2022, imports of recovered paper into South Korea declined to X tons, waning by -13.6% against the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 8.3%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper imports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Japan (X tons) and Australia (X tons) were the main suppliers of recovered paper imports to South Korea, with a combined 90% share of total imports. Thailand, Canada, Singapore and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4.6%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +28.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), Japan ($X) and Australia ($X) were the largest recovered paper suppliers to South Korea, together accounting for 88% of total imports. Thailand, Canada, Singapore and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 5.8%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +29.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average recovered paper import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, recovered paper import price increased by +76.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 48%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Thailand ($X per ton), while the price for Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+5.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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